News for 'electoral law challenge'

India's Republic Faces Ambedkar Test

India's Republic Faces Ambedkar Test

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

'A genuine tribute to Dr Ambedkar does not lie in selective invocation. It lies in asking a harder question: Is the Constitution still doing its job -- restraining even assertive majorities?' asks Manoj Mohanka.

No CM face, Bengal BJP to seek votes on Modi's name

No CM face, Bengal BJP to seek votes on Modi's name

Rediff.com5 Apr 2026

The BJP will focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's development agenda in the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections, rather than projecting a chief ministerial candidate, according to state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya.

Opposition targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar with 7-point chargesheet

Opposition targets CEC Gyanesh Kumar with 7-point chargesheet

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

Opposition MPs in India have moved notices in Parliament seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of bias, misconduct, and acting under the influence of the executive.

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

West Bengal Polls: Mamata Banerjee Can't Underestimate BJP

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

This election is different. It is no longer simply about governance or welfare. It is about identity, fear, and who belongs. The BJP has successfully shifted the terms of the debate from what the government has delivered to who the real Bengali is and who is an outsider, points out Ramesh Menon.

Distress address, outright lies: Oppn tears into Modi's address

Distress address, outright lies: Oppn tears into Modi's address

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

Opposition leaders have criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation, calling it politically motivated and a misuse of official platforms during ongoing elections.

West Bengal elections: BJP, Left put out first list; Suvendu to take on Mamata again

West Bengal elections: BJP, Left put out first list; Suvendu to take on Mamata again

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

The BJP has released its first list of candidates for the West Bengal assembly polls, featuring Suvendu Adhikari against Mamata Banerjee in a high-stakes electoral battle. The Left Front has also announced its initial list of candidates, setting the stage for a crucial election.

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to resign, citing hypocrisy in Shah's call for 'clean politics' given his past arrest. Banerjee also criticised the Election Commission and defended his party's record.

Bihar electoral rolls: Deleted 65L names published online post SIR

Bihar electoral rolls: Deleted 65L names published online post SIR

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

Following a Supreme Court directive, details of names deleted from Bihar's draft electoral rolls have been published online. The Election Commission defends the special intensive revision process.

Kerala Govt Opposes Plea to Suspend Antony Raju's Conviction in Evidence Tampering Case

Kerala Govt Opposes Plea to Suspend Antony Raju's Conviction in Evidence Tampering Case

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

The Kerala government has filed a statement in the High Court opposing former minister Antony Raju's plea to suspend his conviction in an evidence-tampering case, arguing it would undermine the electoral process.

Bengal 'most polarised state': SC orders CBI/NIA probe, CAPF deployment

Bengal 'most polarised state': SC orders CBI/NIA probe, CAPF deployment

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the 'hostage' situation involving seven judicial officials in West Bengal's Malda district, demanding explanations from state officials and authorising the Election Commission to seek a CBI or NIA probe.

SIR hearing: Will Mamata argue in SC today?

SIR hearing: Will Mamata argue in SC today?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The Supreme Court will hear on Wednesday a plea filed by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenging the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Abhishek Banerjee Dares Amit Shah to Resign Amidst 'Clean Politics' Debate

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee challenges Amit Shah to resign, questioning his commitment to clean politics, citing Shah's past arrest and criticising the BJP's actions against allegedly corrupt leaders.

'Going By The BJP's Style, A Surprise Can't Be Ruled Out'

'Going By The BJP's Style, A Surprise Can't Be Ruled Out'

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

'The BJP is keeping its options open and that the final decision is still tightly held.' 'That is consistent with the party's tendency to preserve suspense, avoid premature factional conflict, and use leadership selection as a way of resetting internal hierarchies.'

Shah Targets TMC, Cites Infiltration and Appeasement Politics in West Bengal

Shah Targets TMC, Cites Infiltration and Appeasement Politics in West Bengal

Rediff.com28 Mar 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the TMC government in West Bengal, alleging that its policies have led to increased infiltration and threaten national security. He framed the upcoming elections as a battle against these issues, promising change if the BJP comes to power.

Citizenship complaint politically motivated: Sonia Gandhi's counsel

Citizenship complaint politically motivated: Sonia Gandhi's counsel

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

Sonia Gandhi's counsel argued in a Delhi court that a complaint alleging she was included in the electoral roll before acquiring Indian citizenship was politically motivated.

Electoral rolls can't remain static, need to be revised: SC

Electoral rolls can't remain static, need to be revised: SC

Rediff.com13 Aug 2025

"There is bound to be revision," the top court said, "otherwise, how will the poll panel delete the names of those who are dead, migrated or shifted to other constituencies?"

SIR process only for deletion, not inclusion, Mamata tells SC

SIR process only for deletion, not inclusion, Mamata tells SC

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

Banerjee is personally present in court room one along with her lawyers. A gate pass was issued in the chief minister's name on Tuesday.

TMC Leader Banerjee Predicts Steep Rise in LPG and Fuel Prices After Elections

TMC Leader Banerjee Predicts Steep Rise in LPG and Fuel Prices After Elections

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee has warned of a significant increase in cooking gas and fuel prices by the BJP-led central government following the West Bengal assembly elections. He accused the BJP of neglecting the fuel crisis and challenged them to pledge no price hikes for the next five years.

BJP Candidate List 2026 West Bengal: Full Seat-Wise List of 144 Candidates

BJP Candidate List 2026 West Bengal: Full Seat-Wise List of 144 Candidates

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

In a strategic move for the upcoming West Bengal elections, the BJP has announced its first candidate list, highlighted by Suvendu Adhikari challenging Mamata Banerjee in both Nandigram and Bhabanipur.

Why India's Japan Connection Is Important

Why India's Japan Connection Is Important

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

In a region increasingly shaped by competition and coercion, such collaboration strengthens security without confrontation, builds capacity without dependency and promotes order without domination, points out Dr Kumar.

'Humiliated' Mamata storms out of meeting with CEC

'Humiliated' Mamata storms out of meeting with CEC

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with families affected by the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, met with the Chief Election Commissioner to voice their concerns and demand a halt to the revision process.

TMC's Derek O'Brien moves SC alleging irregularities in Bengal SIR

TMC's Derek O'Brien moves SC alleging irregularities in Bengal SIR

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The application claimed that since the inception of the SIR process in the state, the EC has issued instructions to officers at the ground level through "informal and extra-statutory channels", such as WhatsApp messages and oral directions conveyed during video conferences, instead of issuing formal written instructions.

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Tarique Rahman Sworn In As Bangladesh PM

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri attended the swearing-in ceremony.

EC orders destruction of poll recordings after 45 days

EC orders destruction of poll recordings after 45 days

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

Fearing use of its electronic data to create 'malicious narratives', the Election Commission has instructed its state poll officers to destroy CCTV camera, webcasting and video footage of the election process after 45 days, if the verdict is not challenged in courts within that period.

Sunetra Pawar's journey from shadows to spotlight

Sunetra Pawar's journey from shadows to spotlight

Rediff.com31 Jan 2026

Sunetra Pawar, wife of the late Ajit Pawar, has been appointed as the first woman Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, marking a new chapter for the NCP and presenting her with the challenge of leading the party.

'Miya Vs Indigenous' Politics Reshaping Assam Poll

'Miya Vs Indigenous' Politics Reshaping Assam Poll

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'Once demographic fear becomes campaign language, it legitimises social targeting.'

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Will move court on Tuesday against inhuman conduct of SIR: Mamata

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announces legal action against the Election Commission's electoral roll revision, alleging disenfranchisement and procedural flaws.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

EC is 'deleting evidence' instead of giving answers: Rahul

EC is 'deleting evidence' instead of giving answers: Rahul

Rediff.com21 Jun 2025

Gandhi has been demanding voter lists, poll data and video footage from the election commission, alleging irregularities in Maharashtra assembly elections.

CPM in SC against SIR, asks to be heard with DMK on Tuesday

CPM in SC against SIR, asks to be heard with DMK on Tuesday

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has approached the Supreme Court, contesting the legality of the Election Commission's order for a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Tamil Nadu, alleging it is arbitrary and unconstitutional.

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

'Nehru did vote chori', Shah defends SIR; Oppn walks out

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged 'vote chori' by the Bharatiya Janata Party in collusion with the Election Commission.

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Can India Solve The Air Pollution Problem?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Mundane as it may seem, this is in some ways a metaphor for the challenges facing the nation, argue Arvind Subramanian and Devesh Kapur in their new book, A Sixth Of Humanity.

Justice Surya Kant Takes Oath As Chief Justice of India

Justice Surya Kant Takes Oath As Chief Justice of India

Rediff.com24 Nov 2025

He will hold the office till February 9, 2027.

'BJP Isn't Undefeatable In North India, But...'

'BJP Isn't Undefeatable In North India, But...'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

'...the electoral playing field is tilted significantly in its favour.'

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Mamata hits streets, ups ante against Centre as ED row escalates

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led a protest march in Kolkata against Enforcement Directorate searches linked to I-PAC, signaling a show of strength ahead of the 2026 assembly polls. The march featured cultural elements and participation from party members and celebrities.

Why Freebies May Not Save Stalin's DMK

Why Freebies May Not Save Stalin's DMK

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

While the DMK depends on a 'silver sieve' of welfare schemes to stay in power, its support is slowly draining away under the weight of poor governance, corruption, and voters who are no longer satisfied with benefits alone and now want basic administration to work, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

57 Maharashtra local poll results depend on quota verdict: SC

57 Maharashtra local poll results depend on quota verdict: SC

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court has addressed the issue of reservation quotas in Maharashtra local body elections, stating that the final results of elections in 57 local bodies, where the 50% quota ceiling has been breached, will depend on its judgment in the case.

Bihar poll dates soon? Gyanesh Kumar-led team visits Patna

Bihar poll dates soon? Gyanesh Kumar-led team visits Patna

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Bihar to review preparations for the upcoming assembly elections. The visit includes meetings with political parties, police, administrative officials, and state leaders to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. The visit follows the publication of the final electoral roll after a Special Intensive Revision, which has sparked controversy among political parties.

SC rejects SIT probe into electoral bonds scheme

SC rejects SIT probe into electoral bonds scheme

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

The top court said it cannot order a roving inquiry into purchase of electoral bonds on the assumption that it was quid pro quo for award of contract.

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.