News for 'democratic nation'

NDA seals Bihar seat pact, JD-U gets one more than BJP

NDA seals Bihar seat pact, JD-U gets one more than BJP

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

Senior BJP leaders, including Amit Shah and J P Nadda, met with party leaders and allies to discuss the upcoming Bihar polls. Seat-sharing arrangements with NDA partners are expected to be announced soon.

Yogi threatening Muslims, will quit, warns BJP leader

Yogi threatening Muslims, will quit, warns BJP leader

Rediff.com3 Oct 2025

Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal threatened to resign from the party, citing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "unacceptable" remarks and the state police's "vindictive" attitude against the Muslim community.

'I Never Said Shoot Rahul Gandhi, But...'

'I Never Said Shoot Rahul Gandhi, But...'

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

'... Rahul Gandhi's name came to my mind at that time.'

Won't go anywhere from NDA: Nitish assures Modi at Bihar rally

Won't go anywhere from NDA: Nitish assures Modi at Bihar rally

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will remain in the NDA, while regretting short-lived alliances with the RJD-Congress combine. He lauded Modi for the Union government's measures for the state and highlighted recent state government initiatives.

Bihar Polls: JD-U To Drop 4 Non-Performing MLAs

Bihar Polls: JD-U To Drop 4 Non-Performing MLAs

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

'The seats which we would be contesting have been identified. Respective candidates have also been finalised. Four non-performing sitting MLAs will be replaced with fresh faces.'

The Loneliness Of Tejashwi Yadav

The Loneliness Of Tejashwi Yadav

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

His inheritance was a double-edged sword because the NDA was understandably interested only in highlighting that part of the RJD's tenure in government that evokes kidnapping, extortion, and lawlessness.

Bihar: Gangster-turned-politician, who backed PK, killed

Bihar: Gangster-turned-politician, who backed PK, killed

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

Gangster-turned-politician Dular Chand Yadav, once known for rubbing shoulders with the who's who of politics in Bihar, was allegedly shot dead near the state capital during an election campaign on Thursday, police said.

Drums vs dread: Patna splits on verdict day

Drums vs dread: Patna splits on verdict day

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

As the Bihar assembly results swept in, Patna's Veerchand Patel Marg, the city's political artery, split into two starkly different worlds, with celebrations at the BJP and JD(U) offices and disappointment at the RJD headquarters.

'BJP High Command Will Decide NDA Chief Minister'

'BJP High Command Will Decide NDA Chief Minister'

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

'The name will be declared at the right time.'

Bihar's Populist Promises Clash With Fragile Economy

Bihar's Populist Promises Clash With Fragile Economy

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

A string of welfare schemes and promises tests the state's budget, which is already heavily dependent on central support and spends little as capital outlay.

Owaisi's AIMIM plans to contest 100 seats in Bihar

Owaisi's AIMIM plans to contest 100 seats in Bihar

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

According to political observers, the AIMIM sees a catchment area in Bihar, where Muslims are more than 17 per cent of the total population but have never got a proportionate representation in the state legislature.

Why Modi plans to transfer Rs 10K each to Bihar's 75 lakh women

Why Modi plans to transfer Rs 10K each to Bihar's 75 lakh women

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch Bihar's 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana' on Friday and transfer Rs 10,000 each to the bank accounts of 75 lakh women across the state, totalling Rs 7,500 crore.

Oppn candidate Reddy urges MPs to vote with conscience in VP polls

Oppn candidate Reddy urges MPs to vote with conscience in VP polls

Rediff.com7 Sep 2025

Opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy appeals to MPs to vote with conscience in the upcoming vice presidential polls, urging them to prioritize the spirit of India and parliamentary traditions over party loyalty.

'Bihar Has Never Delivered Such A One-Sided Mandate'

'Bihar Has Never Delivered Such A One-Sided Mandate'

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

'This outcome is thoroughly unexpected.' 'I travelled extensively across villages, engaged in detailed discussions with residents, and consulted with party workers who had been canvassing from village to village, from one location to another, seeking grassroots feedback.' 'Not a single interlocutor suggested that there would be an NDA wave of this magnitude.'

Kharge cites Sardar Patel's letter to demand ban on RSS

Kharge cites Sardar Patel's letter to demand ban on RSS

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that in his personal opinion, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh should be banned as most law and order problems in the country are arising because of the Bharatiya Janata Party-RSS.

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Electoral fortunes of 1,302 candidates, including over half a dozen ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed on Tuesday with 3.70 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 assembly segments in the second and final phase of the Bihar polls.

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for implementation of women's quota law

SC seeks Centre's reply on plea for implementation of women's quota law

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has sought the Centre's response on a plea seeking the implementation of the 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

Modi Updates Stalin's Election Strategy

Modi Updates Stalin's Election Strategy

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'Stalin's intention is plain and simple.' 'The DMK wants to convert what is an 'incumbency-centred' election for the party-led alliance into one more 'Modi/BJP election' after Stalin's successive success in 2019 and 2021, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

NDA Tsunami Sweeps Away Mahagathbandhan In Bihar

NDA Tsunami Sweeps Away Mahagathbandhan In Bihar

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

The National Democratic Alliance was set to sweep the Bihar assembly polls, surging ahead in over 200 of 243 seats on Friday with the Bharatiya Janata Party emerging as single largest party with about 90 per cent strike rate, reaffirming the popularity and campaign clout of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the face of the ruling alliance through the poll battle in the highly sensitive political state.

'Bulldozer Justice Continues Despite SC Verdict'

'Bulldozer Justice Continues Despite SC Verdict'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

'Even as the Supreme Court's anti-punitive demolition judgment nears its first anniversary, no formal contempt proceedings have been initiated either by the Supreme Court or any high court against officers or demolition squads who have acted in violation of it.'

Bihar's voter turnout nearly 69%; women outvoted men in both phases

Bihar's voter turnout nearly 69%; women outvoted men in both phases

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

An ECI statement issued from New Delhi put the voter turnout at 68.76 per cent. The female turnout (74.03 per cent) was significantly higher, compared with males (64.1 per cent).

Curbs back in Leh ahead of apex body's silent march

Curbs back in Leh ahead of apex body's silent march

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

The move comes barely two days after the authorities lifted the restrictions in Leh, 22 days after they were first imposed following violent clashes during protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule Status that left four persons dead and 90 injured on September 24.

Record 69% turnout in Bihar's final phase, women voters lead

Record 69% turnout in Bihar's final phase, women voters lead

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

Bihar recorded its highest-ever voter turnout of 67.14 per cent in the second and final phase of the assembly elections. The election is seen as a referendum on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Kishanganj recorded the highest polling percentage at 76.26.

Trump Praises 'Great Mayor' Mamdani

Trump Praises 'Great Mayor' Mamdani

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

'I met with a man who really wants to see New York be great again. I think he can bring it back. I think he wants to make it greater than ever before, and if he can, we'll be out there cheering. I'll be cheering for him.'

Trump loyalist confirmed as US envoy to India

Trump loyalist confirmed as US envoy to India

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Gor, 38, was among 107 nominees confirmed by the Senate in a single en bloc vote on Tuesday, with 51 senators voting in favour and 47 against.

Is this INDIA bloc's best chance to defeat Nitish-led NDA?

Is this INDIA bloc's best chance to defeat Nitish-led NDA?

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

A SWOT analysis of the INDIA bloc, led by the RJD-Congress combine, as Bihar prepares for Assembly elections. Examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing the opposition alliance.

SC seeks Centre's response on Wangchuk's detention

SC seeks Centre's response on Wangchuk's detention

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The Supreme Court has sought responses from the Centre and Union Territory of Ladakh regarding the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act. Wangchuk's wife filed a plea seeking his release. The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 14.

Peace Nobel laureate credits Trump with stopping India-Pak war

Peace Nobel laureate credits Trump with stopping India-Pak war

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Nobel Peace Prize winner Mara Corina Machado seeks India's support for a peaceful transition to democracy in Venezuela, lauding President Trump as a key ally.

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Why Educated Muslim Youth Join Terror Modules

Rediff.com27 Nov 2025

Radical Islamist networks are deliberately targeting Muslim youths embedded within the country's professional and academic ecosystems, leveraging their skills, mobility, and digital reach to quietly strengthen operational capabilities. This trend highlights a dangerous evolution in terror recruitment -- one that exploits ideological faultlines, online echo chambers and transnational radical Islamist influences to attract individuals who outwardly embody India's modern and aspirational narrative, points out Dr Kanchan Lakshman.

How RJD-Congress 'Feud' Was Sorted Out...

How RJD-Congress 'Feud' Was Sorted Out...

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Ashok Gehlot convinced the RJD leadership that the Congress had no issue about declaring Tejashwi as the Mahagathbandan's chief minister face.

Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up For Bihar Polls

Seat-Sharing Talks Heat Up For Bihar Polls

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Less than 10 days are left for filing of nomination papers for the first phase of the Bihar polls.

Activists demand Wangchuk's release, back Ladakh's statehood

Activists demand Wangchuk's release, back Ladakh's statehood

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Activists from Himalayan states condemn the arrest of Sonam Wangchuk, demanding his release and supporting the call for statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. They also warn of a larger crisis unfolding across the Himalayan region due to climate change and poor governance.

Bihar polls: Less than 70 seats for Cong? Oppn manifesto this week

Bihar polls: Less than 70 seats for Cong? Oppn manifesto this week

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

The 'Mahagathbandhan' alliance in Bihar is expected to finalize its seat-sharing arrangement and announce candidates along with a joint manifesto soon. Talks between RJD and Congress are ongoing, with potential meetings in Delhi. The Congress is aiming for a respectable number of seats and highlighting the desire for change in Bihar.

'Tejashwi Has The Momentum'

'Tejashwi Has The Momentum'

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

'We have been struggling with problems, but we want to elect Tejashwi to see him as the next chief minister.'

Nitish digresses from practice, gives tickets amid rift buzz

Nitish digresses from practice, gives tickets amid rift buzz

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Amidst speculation over the NDA seat-sharing deal in Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar distributed JD(U) tickets, while the BJP announced its first list of candidates. The INDIA bloc also faces internal challenges as parties prepare for the upcoming elections.

Will Cash Transfer Win Bihar For Modi?

Will Cash Transfer Win Bihar For Modi?

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

If women voters are mobilised in big numbers to the voting booths on November 6 and 11 by the Nitish Kumar-led NDA, then it will be quite difficult for the Tejashwi Yadav-led Mahagathbandhan to defeat the incumbent government, points out Sheela Bhatt.

'Thanks Joe': Kamala makes surprise appearance at DNC

'Thanks Joe': Kamala makes surprise appearance at DNC

Rediff.com20 Aug 2024

Americans are united by their shared vision for the future of the country, Vice President Kamala Harris said on Monday, making a surprise appearance on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

'Surprisingly, Tejashwi Looked Lacklustre In The Campaign'

'Surprisingly, Tejashwi Looked Lacklustre In The Campaign'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

'...in comparison to his presence in the previous election campaign where he looked robust and vibrant.' 'His television and social media interviews looked dull and predictable.' 'There could be a different kind of fatigue of being out of power for a long time at work here.'

Is The 'Bhunja Party' Really Running Bihar?

Is The 'Bhunja Party' Really Running Bihar?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Tejashwi Yadav and Prashant Kishore claim that a group of senior Janata Dal-United leaders and retired bureaucrats, locally dubbed the 'Bhunja Party', manages the state administration on Nitish Kumar's behalf.

'Ready to stay here': Wangchuk's first message from jail

'Ready to stay here': Wangchuk's first message from jail

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

Jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk has appealed to the people of Ladakh to maintain peace and unity and continue with the ongoing struggle for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution in the true Gandhian way of non-violence, his lawyer said on Sunday.