News for 'Varanasi Lok Sabha'

UP minister Rajbhar's son booked over Mau railway station chaos

UP minister Rajbhar's son booked over Mau railway station chaos

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party leader Arvind Rajbhar and his supporters have been booked for allegedly disrupting operations at the Mau Railway Station after Ghosi MP Rajeev Rai raised the issue.

Robots Kick Off!

Robots Kick Off!

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

'G RAM G Isn't A National Employment Guarantee Law'

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'MGNREGA was about a guaranteed right to work.' 'The new law does not guarantee employment at all.' 'It removes everything that made MGNREGA a legal guarantee.'

Varanasi's Muslims: Split between neta and ajooba

Varanasi's Muslims: Split between neta and ajooba

Rediff.com9 May 2014

Although Muslims in Varanasi are clearly disconcerted by Narendra Modi's Hindutva agenda and are fearful of the future, they believe his emergence on the national political stage will not disturb the famous 'Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb.'

Kejriwal to file nomination from Varanasi today

Kejriwal to file nomination from Varanasi today

Rediff.com23 Apr 2014

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal will file his nomination for the high-profile electoral contest in Varanasi where he will face stiff challenge from BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

India celebrates Diwali with fervour, Delhi AQI worsens

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

Buildings were decorated with colourful lights and earthen lamps dotted houses as people across the country thronged temples and celebrated Diwali with pomp on Monday.

Modi turns 75; fortnight-long celebrations begin

Modi turns 75; fortnight-long celebrations begin

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi turned 75 on Wednesday, with the Bharatiya Janata Party launching over a fortnight long 'Sewa Pakhwada' to mark the birthday of its preeminent leader.

Is Modi Sending Yogi A Message?

Is Modi Sending Yogi A Message?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

When the prime minister of India arrives in a city and summons the city's police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate to be briefed about the police action taken in the horrifying case of a young woman being raped by multiple men over 23 days, is he sending a message to the chief minister of the state about law and order in the province?

Priyanka's Varanasi roadshow draws in crowds

Priyanka's Varanasi roadshow draws in crowds

Rediff.com15 May 2019

Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, waved at the large crowd as the procession wound its way through Varanasi's roads.

Cong list: Ajay Rai from Varanasi; suspense over Amethi, Raebareli continues

Cong list: Ajay Rai from Varanasi; suspense over Amethi, Raebareli continues

Rediff.com24 Mar 2024

The suspense over whether Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will contest the polls from Amethi and Raebareli respectively continued.

Ma Ganga has called me to Varanasi, says Modi filing nomination

Ma Ganga has called me to Varanasi, says Modi filing nomination

Rediff.com24 Apr 2014

Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Thursday filed his nomination papers from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, saying he had been called by "mother Ganga" to contest from this holy city.

HC issues notice to PM Modi over plea against Varanasi elections

HC issues notice to PM Modi over plea against Varanasi elections

Rediff.com18 Jul 2014

The Allahabad high court on Friday issued a notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a petition challenging his election from the Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh.

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Why Modi Chose To Speak In Parliament On Maha Kumbh

Rediff.com26 Mar 2025

Besides the not-so-hidden unease between Modi and Adityanath, Modi chose to address the Lok Sabha to ensure that he could personally claim all the kudos, observes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

Taking digs at Modi, Rahul, Kejriwal files nomination from Varanasi

Taking digs at Modi, Rahul, Kejriwal files nomination from Varanasi

Rediff.com23 Apr 2014

Pitching his aam aadmi credentials, Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday filed his nomination for the high-profile Varanasi Lok Sabha seat and accused Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi of spending huge sums of money in the ongoing electoral battle, which he said was all about eliminating corruption.

Modi@75: The Man Who Changed India

Modi@75: The Man Who Changed India

Rediff.com16 Sep 2025

Let there be no doubt that Modi in these 24 years so far has reshaped politics and governance considerably, if not completely, asserts Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, author, Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times.

Priyanka Must Take On Modi In Varanasi

Priyanka Must Take On Modi In Varanasi

Rediff.com7 May 2024

In the five years in politics Priyanka Gandhi has undeniably emerged as a thorn in the BJP flesh, notes Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay. It is time that this thorn is twisted a wee bit more when the elections have become far more uncertain than what it was when the Election Commission announced the poll schedule.

Key contests to watch for, from Rae Bareli to Thiruvananthapuram

Key contests to watch for, from Rae Bareli to Thiruvananthapuram

Rediff.com3 Jun 2024

A number of high-profile electoral battles, starring veterans and debutants, formidable opponents and unlikely contestants, feature in Tuesday's outcome.

To thwart Modi, Mukhtar Ansari lends support to Congress in Varanasi

To thwart Modi, Mukhtar Ansari lends support to Congress in Varanasi

Rediff.com29 Apr 2014

In a major boost to the Congress in Varanasi -- where it is fighting an uphill battle against Bharatiya Janata Party's Narendra Modi and Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal -- Mukhtar Ansari's Quami Ekta Dal has announced its support for the Congress with an aim to defeat Narendra Modi.

NDA to sweep UP with 74 seats: Exit polls

NDA to sweep UP with 74 seats: Exit polls

Rediff.com2 Jun 2024

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the NDA won 64 seats -- 62 bagged by the BJP and two by Apna Dal.

Varanasi poll day anecdotes: A fervour to vote

Varanasi poll day anecdotes: A fervour to vote

Rediff.com12 May 2014

A Ganesh Nadar/Rediff.com visited many polling booths in Varanasi on polling day. This is what he discovered.

When Manmohan told Sushma, 'Tu Mera Intezaar Dekh'

When Manmohan told Sushma, 'Tu Mera Intezaar Dekh'

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

A leader of reserve and quiet dignity, former prime minister Manmohan Singh had a keen taste for Urdu verses, and his poetic banters with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sushma Swaraj in the Lok Sabha are among the most viewed parliamentary debates on social media.

Modi takes a holy dip in Ganga at Varanasi

Modi takes a holy dip in Ganga at Varanasi

Rediff.com13 Dec 2021

On his arrival in Varanasi earlier on Monday, the prime minister offered prayers at Kaal Bhairav Temple.

Modi's Varanasi office listed on OLX for 'sale', 4 held

Modi's Varanasi office listed on OLX for 'sale', 4 held

Rediff.com18 Dec 2020

The accused had taken a picture of the 'Jansampark Kaaryalay (public relations office)' of Modi, who represents Varanasi in the Lok Sabha, and put it 'up for sale' on OLX website, they said.

AAP Varanasi manifesto promises 'Holy City' status to city

AAP Varanasi manifesto promises 'Holy City' status to city

Rediff.com1 May 2014

Aam Aadmi party on Thursday released manifesto for its most important contest - Varanasi Lok Sabha seat where party chief Arvind Kejriwal is taking on BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Rashid Alvi writes to Sonia; wants to take on Modi in Varanasi

Rashid Alvi writes to Sonia; wants to take on Modi in Varanasi

Rediff.com31 Mar 2014

Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi on Monday joined the party men who have offered to contest against Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi from Varanasi Lok Sabha seat.

Accompanied by top NDA leaders, Modi files nomination from Varanasi

Accompanied by top NDA leaders, Modi files nomination from Varanasi

Rediff.com27 Apr 2019

Almost all prominent leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, as well as members of the National Democratic Alliance and North-East Democratic Alliance accompanied Modi.

No Priyanka vs Modi in Varanasi; Congress fields Ajay Rai

No Priyanka vs Modi in Varanasi; Congress fields Ajay Rai

Rediff.com25 Apr 2019

The Congress also fielded Madhusudan Tiwari from Gorakhpur against BJP's actor-turned politician Ravi Kishan.

Priyanka on why she didn't contest from Varanasi

Priyanka on why she didn't contest from Varanasi

Rediff.com30 Apr 2019

To a question on whether deciding against contesting in the constituency would send a wrong signal, she said, "No I don't think so... I had said from the start that I will do what my party says...my party decided this and I am happy to follow the instructions."

Modi files election affidavit; is worth Rs 3 cr, mostly fixed deposits

Modi files election affidavit; is worth Rs 3 cr, mostly fixed deposits

Rediff.com15 May 2024

As required, Modi submitted the affidavit while filing his nomination papers Tuesday as an election candidate from the Varanasi parliamentary constituency, a seat he has held twice earlier.

'I'm not nervous at all': Priyanka Gandhi finally makes poll debut

'I'm not nervous at all': Priyanka Gandhi finally makes poll debut

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

If Priyanka wins the Lok Sabha bypolls, it would be for the first time that three members of the Gandhi family will be in Parliament. Her mother Sonia Gandhi is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan.

No need for socialism, secularism in India: Shivraj

No need for socialism, secularism in India: Shivraj

Rediff.com28 Jun 2025

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said 'there is no need for socialism in India', adding 'secularism is not the core of our culture'.

'Congress Will Collapse Without Gandhis'

'Congress Will Collapse Without Gandhis'

Rediff.com19 Jun 2024

'What matters is policies, not personalities like Priyanka, Rahul or Modi.'

Modi In Varanasi: Festive Saffron Fervour

Modi In Varanasi: Festive Saffron Fervour

Rediff.com14 May 2024

Utkarsh Mishra's impressions of the Narendra Modi roadshow in Varanasi.

BJP suffers huge setback in UP, Cong-SP win more seats

BJP suffers huge setback in UP, Cong-SP win more seats

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) gave a huge blow to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance by winning 43 seats out of total 80 Lok Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh, as per the Election Commission.

Contests That Startled India

Contests That Startled India

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

Lok Sabha constituencies that sprung a surprise in the 2024 polls.

Akhilesh stopped picking up calls: Mayawati on end of BSP-SP alliance

Akhilesh stopped picking up calls: Mayawati on end of BSP-SP alliance

Rediff.com12 Sep 2024

Akhilesh Yadav hit back, saying no one had any clue that the alliance was coming apart and that he had dialled the BSP chief to know why the tie-up ended.

Rahul Gandhi to contest LS polls from Amethi: UP Congress chief

Rahul Gandhi to contest LS polls from Amethi: UP Congress chief

Rediff.com18 Aug 2023

On speculations of Priyanka Gandhi contesting in the 2024 election, Rai said that Priyanka Gandhi will contest from wherever she wants to.

SP leader moves SC for effective implementation of Places of Worship Act

SP leader moves SC for effective implementation of Places of Worship Act

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Samajwadi Party leader and Kairana MP Iqra Choudhary has moved the Supreme Court seeking effective implementation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. This move comes amidst several petitions challenging the law's validity, including those filed by the Akhil Bhartiya Sant Samiti and lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay. The Supreme Court, in December 2022, had restrained all courts from examining fresh suits and passing interim orders in pending cases seeking to reclaim religious places. The Act aims to maintain the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, but the dispute relating to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid at Ayodhya was kept out of its purview. The court has listed Choudhary's plea with other pending pleas for February 17.

Priyanka to contest Rae Bareli, Rahul Amethi: Sources

Priyanka to contest Rae Bareli, Rahul Amethi: Sources

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi are likely to contest the Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli and Amethi seats, respectively, sources said on Thursday.

Modi gives up Vadodara, retains Varanasi

Modi gives up Vadodara, retains Varanasi

Rediff.com29 May 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi quit his Vadodara Lok Sabha seat, choosing to retain Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, where the Bharatiya Janata Party recorded a landslide victory bagging 71 of the 80 seats in the recent elections.