News for 'fair election'

70 lakh voters added suddenly: Rahul on Maha poll results

70 lakh voters added suddenly: Rahul on Maha poll results

Rediff.com3 Feb 2025

"More voters were added in Maharashtra in five months between the Lok Sabha and assembly polls than in five years," the former Congress president said.

Violent protests against Waqf law shift to other areas of Bengal

Violent protests against Waqf law shift to other areas of Bengal

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) clashed with police in West Bengal on Monday during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to several injuries and the torching of multiple police vehicles. The clash occurred after police stopped ISF supporters from attending an anti-Waqf Act rally in Kolkata. The protests escalated when the crowd attempted to break through police barricades. The situation was brought under control after a large police force was deployed. ISF leader Naushad Siddique condemned the Waqf Act and accused the BJP of trying to incite communal tension. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress dismissed the ISF as a "party of no consequence." Communal violence related to the Waqf Act has also occurred in other parts of West Bengal.

'Mr Modi Is Rattled'

'Mr Modi Is Rattled'

Rediff.com27 May 2024

The speech he gave in which he accused the Congress of getting black money in tempos from Ambani and Adani is remarkable.' 'It is a self-goal for sure, but indicates someone who has lost control, someone who is rattled.'

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

SC to hear pleas against CEC appointment under new law

Rediff.com8 Jan 2025

It will be court's opinion versus the legislative power to enact law, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said as it posted the pleas challenging the appointment of the chief election commissioner and election commissioners under the 2023 law on February 4.

5 bypolls peaceful across 4 states; high turnout in Bengal's Kaliganj

5 bypolls peaceful across 4 states; high turnout in Bengal's Kaliganj

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

Moderate turnout was recorded in the first four hours of polling across five assembly constituencies across Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat and Kerala where bypolls are underway on Thursday.

Without imposition, we will learn: Kamal Haasan on Hindi row

Without imposition, we will learn: Kamal Haasan on Hindi row

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

Where does Kamal Haasan stand on the issue of imposition of Hindi in the south? "I stand with Punjab. I stand with Karnataka. I stand with Andhra," is his quick reply.

No need for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari

No need for 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas': BJP's Suvendu Adhikari

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suvendu Adhikari attributed the party's poor performance in Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal to lack of support from the minority community, asserting that 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' was unnecessary and proposing instead 'Hum unke saath jo humare saath' (we are with those who are with us).

Lok Sabha elections as good as rigged: Jean Dreze

Lok Sabha elections as good as rigged: Jean Dreze

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

Development economist Jean Dreze said the Indian democracy is currently navigating a crisis that is not only limited to the 'recent wave of authoritarianism' but also suppression of opposition voices by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Boxing Interim Committee fast-tracks key decisions

Boxing Interim Committee fast-tracks key decisions

Rediff.com15 Apr 2025

In its latest order, the Himachal Pradesh High Court directed the Sports Ministry observer and the Returning Officer to issue a fresh election schedule before April 28, when the case is set to be heard again.

Centre tries to curtail powers of new J-K govt, CM, alleges Omar; MHA denies

Centre tries to curtail powers of new J-K govt, CM, alleges Omar; MHA denies

Rediff.com5 Oct 2024

The strong statement from Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office came after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah asked bureaucrats in the Union Territory to resist any pressure to "further disempower" the incoming elected government.

Musharraf wants fair poll: Benazir

Musharraf wants fair poll: Benazir

Rediff.com16 Jul 2007

Bhutto, the Pakistan Peoples Party chief, said her party's talks with the military regime had focused on a level-playing field for all political parties for holding of fair elections for transition to democracy for an empowered Parliament.

PIL seeks disqualification of all 99 Cong MPs for financial guarantees

PIL seeks disqualification of all 99 Cong MPs for financial guarantees

Rediff.com10 Aug 2024

According to the PIL, the 'Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme' involves the distribution of guarantee cards that promise various financial and material benefits in exchange of votes.

BJP wasn't in power then: EC sources on duplicate voters

BJP wasn't in power then: EC sources on duplicate voters

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Amid opposition allegations of manipulation of electoral rolls, sources in the Election Commission Monday said the matter related to duplicate voter identity card numbers is a 'legacy issue' with such cards being issued even between 2008 and 2013 when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance was not in power.

6 Reasons Why India Thrashed England

6 Reasons Why India Thrashed England

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Gill's magnificence. Siraj and Akash's brilliance. Jadeja's class. Jaiswal and Rahul's success. Stokes' toss blunder. Root's failures.

The F-Word Rules OTT This Week

The F-Word Rules OTT This Week

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Food, feminism, fights, father-son issues, famous rivalries, OTT is as loaded as it gets this week.

Electoral bonds: Can India be democracy if..., asks SC

Electoral bonds: Can India be democracy if..., asks SC

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Democracy does not begin and end with elections and the integrity of election process is pivotal for sustaining the democratic form of government, the Supreme Court said on Thursday while striking down as unconstitutional the electoral bonds scheme for political funding.

5 Cong MPs express concern over 'transparency, fairness' in party prez poll

5 Cong MPs express concern over 'transparency, fairness' in party prez poll

Rediff.com10 Sep 2022

Congress's Lok Sabha members Shashi Tharoor, Manish Tewari, Karti Chidambaram, Pradyut Bordoloi and Abdul Khaleque said this list must be made available in order to verify who is entitled to nominate a candidate and who is entitled to vote.

'Modiji Has Tamed The People Of India'

'Modiji Has Tamed The People Of India'

Rediff.com17 Jan 2025

'The BJP has killed public anger. They have killed people's self-respect.'

Cong questions poll integrity; Kharge talks tough on loss in CWC meet

Cong questions poll integrity; Kharge talks tough on loss in CWC meet

Rediff.com30 Nov 2024

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called for tough decisions and unity within the party after the Congress suffered electoral defeats in Maharashtra and Haryana. In a meeting with top party leaders, Kharge highlighted the need to strengthen the organization from the grassroots, fix accountability, and address internal bickering. He also urged leaders to remain united and avoid public criticism of each other. The Congress chief expressed concern over the party's performance in state elections despite a strong showing in the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year. He acknowledged the need to learn from the setbacks and improve the party's strategy and communication to counter its rivals' propaganda.

EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna 'poisoning' claim amid slugfest

EC asks Kejriwal to prove Yamuna 'poisoning' claim amid slugfest

Rediff.com28 Jan 2025

A heated political battle erupted Tuesday over Arvind Kejriwal's claim of the Haryana government 'poisoning' the Yamuna water, with the Bharatiya Janata Party saying he cannot be forgiven for his 'dangerous statement', while the Aam Aadmi Party chief asserted he won't let the people of Delhi die due to the dirty, poisonous water.

Should CJI be involved in executive appointments? Experts differ

Should CJI be involved in executive appointments? Experts differ

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The views came in the wake of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar wondering on Friday that how could the CJI, even by "statutory prescription", get involved in executive appointments such as that of Central Bureau of Investigation director, and said it was time to "revisit" such norms.

3-judge HC bench to hear pleas against Maratha quota

3-judge HC bench to hear pleas against Maratha quota

Rediff.com16 May 2025

The Bombay high court on Friday constituted a three-judge special bench to hear the pleas challenging the constitutional validity of the law providing Maratha reservation following a Supreme Court directive.

Why So Much Hatred For English?

Why So Much Hatred For English?

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

There is no guarantee that if we speak in only Indian languages, all our faults will be washed away and India will shine. Why then do they bully and belittle the English-speaking? asks Shyam G Menon.

Congress takes Maharashtra poll complaints to EC

Congress takes Maharashtra poll complaints to EC

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

The Congress party in India has alleged "serious and grave inconsistencies" in the data relating to the polling and counting processes for the recently concluded Maharashtra Assembly elections. The party has sought an in-person hearing from the Election Commission to present evidence of alleged discrepancies, including the arbitrary deletion and addition of voters and inexplicable increases in voting percentages. The Congress leaders claim these irregularities benefited the ruling BJP-led alliance, which won a decisive victory in the polls.

5 more Cong MPs voice concern over fairness of party prez polls

5 more Cong MPs voice concern over fairness of party prez polls

Rediff.com10 Sep 2022

They said that as Congress MPs, they are concerned about the transparency and fairness of the election process for the president of the party.

Not a single rupee...: Kejriwal to SC on ED charges

Not a single rupee...: Kejriwal to SC on ED charges

Rediff.com27 Apr 2024

'The present case is a classic case of how the ruling party led central government has misused the central agency- Enforcement Directorate and its wide powers under PMLA to crush its biggest political opponent -Aam Aadmi Party and its leaders'

Excise policy: SC to hear on Monday Kejriwal's plea against ED arrest

Excise policy: SC to hear on Monday Kejriwal's plea against ED arrest

Rediff.com28 Apr 2024

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta is likely to hear the matter.

'Asim Munir Should Be Declared A War Criminal'

'Asim Munir Should Be Declared A War Criminal'

Rediff.com10 May 2025

'Asim Munir Is A War Criminal'

'Compensation of athletes, IOC's main concern'

'Compensation of athletes, IOC's main concern'

Rediff.com21 Apr 2025

Drawing comparisons with other professional sports, Moses said track and field athletes have missed out on the financial boom due to the lack of a players' union.

Cong seeks probe into complaints of EVM 'discrepancies'

Cong seeks probe into complaints of EVM 'discrepancies'

Rediff.com9 Oct 2024

The Congress on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into 'discrepancies' found in some Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes of the Haryana assembly polls and demanded that such EVMs should be sealed and secured pending the inquiry.

Jolt to Congress as Indore candidate joins BJP before polls

Jolt to Congress as Indore candidate joins BJP before polls

Rediff.com29 Apr 2024

The Congress had fielded Bam against sitting BJP MP Shankar Lalwani from the Indore Lok Sabha seat, where polling will be held on May 13.

Sports Minister on why he revoked WFI suspension

Sports Minister on why he revoked WFI suspension

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

'WFI must reverse all amendments made during its suspension and ensure checks and balances in decision-making within four weeks.'

How world media reported Lok Sabha election results

How world media reported Lok Sabha election results

Rediff.com5 Jun 2024

The 'aura of invincibility' around Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been 'shattered' by the Indian voters who gave the Opposition a new lease on life, this is how the international media described the outcome of India's general elections.

Those who spread communal divide can't be Hindu: Uddhav

Those who spread communal divide can't be Hindu: Uddhav

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray chief Udvav Thackeray launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and said that anyone who spreads communal disharmony 'can't be a Hindu', while also affirming that the 'Hindutva' of his party is 'clean'.

Will Sunak be re-elected? Voting begins in UK polls

Will Sunak be re-elected? Voting begins in UK polls

Rediff.com4 Jul 2024

The future of Rishi Sunak as Britain's Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party hangs in the balance as polling booths opened across the United Kingdom on Thursday, with millions expected to turn out to cast their votes in the general election.

'Before Holi, this is a gift for all associated with wrestling'

'Before Holi, this is a gift for all associated with wrestling'

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

For a few months an Indian Olympic Association ad-hoc panel ran the show but after UWW lifted its suspension following the conduct of elections, the committee was dissolved.

Modi's Approach To Election Is Intriguing

Modi's Approach To Election Is Intriguing

Rediff.com8 May 2024

The big surprise is that Narendra Modi, the greatest conjurer in our national politics, has not yet presented a theme to this election, observes Shekhar Gupta.

Why Asim Munir Wanted War

Why Asim Munir Wanted War

Rediff.com19 May 2025

The launch of the first-ever direct train service from Delhi to Kashmir would be a big turning point in the Valley's mood and its integration with India. He had to thwart it at any cost, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

Day after mother's passing, retiring SC judge Oka delivers 11 verdicts

Day after mother's passing, retiring SC judge Oka delivers 11 verdicts

Rediff.com23 May 2025

Justice Abhay S Oka, known for his unwavering commitment to liberty and constitutional values, bid farewell to the Supreme Court of India. In his final address, he stressed his dedication to upholding constitutional liberties, emphasizing that it was his "honest endeavor" to fulfill the dream of the Constitution's framers. He also expressed gratitude to the bar and his colleagues for their support and shared heartfelt memories from his time on the bench. Justice Oka's departure marks the end of a distinguished judicial career spanning over two decades, during which he served as a judge of the Bombay High Court, Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, and ultimately, as a Supreme Court justice.

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

'Delimitation Is Not A South Versus North Issue'

Rediff.com31 Mar 2025

'There will be no change of seats for Delhi, Assam and Maharashtra.' 'Andhra, J&K, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Telangana will lose seats while there will be an increase for MP, UP, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh.' 'It is a big mistake if you make it a north-south issue.'