News for 'new voters'

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Indo-US deal 'wholesale surrender': Rahul vs govt in LS

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Rahul Gandhi said that had an INDIA Bloc government negotiated the trade agreement with the US, it would have told US President Donald Trump that he should treat India as an equal.

Rahul Gandhi launches 'voter adhikar yatra' in Bihar for voting rights

Rahul Gandhi launches 'voter adhikar yatra' in Bihar for voting rights

Rediff.com16 Aug 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has launched a 'Voter Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar to advocate for fair elections and protect voting rights, alleging irregularities in electoral rolls and accusing the BJP of attempting to disenfranchise voters.

Rahul accuses EC of 'gaslighting citizens'; BJP responds

Rahul accuses EC of 'gaslighting citizens'; BJP responds

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleges 'vote chori' amid controversy over the quality of indelible ink used in Maharashtra civic polls. The Election Commission has launched a probe into the matter.

Maha set for major civic battle in Mumbai, 28 bodies on Jan 15

Maha set for major civic battle in Mumbai, 28 bodies on Jan 15

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

Votes will be counted on January 16 and the outcome will be keenly watched as the BJP-led Mahayuti will seek to stamp its supremacy in urban landscape, especially in Mumbai, while the Opposition parties will try to redeem themselves after last year's rout in assembly polls.

I know you won't...: Mamata in 3rd letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar

I know you won't...: Mamata in 3rd letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

In her third letter to Kumar since the SIR began, Banerjee accused the Election Commission of political bias, insensitivity, and high-handedness during the exercise.

Assam CM To BJP Workers: Don't Be Overconfident

Assam CM To BJP Workers: Don't Be Overconfident

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Himanta Biswa pointed out that it was 'too early' for surveys to accurately capture the electoral mood, as several key developments vis-a-vis seat-sharing arrangements among NDA partners are yet to be finalised.

Uddhav Sena-MNS manifesto promises free power, allowance for domestic helps

Uddhav Sena-MNS manifesto promises free power, allowance for domestic helps

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS release a joint manifesto for Mumbai civic polls, promising free power, allowances for domestic helps, and property tax waivers.

SIR row: Centre gives Y-plus security to Bengal CEO after threat

SIR row: Centre gives Y-plus security to Bengal CEO after threat

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The central government has provided armed security to West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer following potential threats related to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Maha civic polls: Mumbai set for high-stakes battle as campaigning ends

Maha civic polls: Mumbai set for high-stakes battle as campaigning ends

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Campaigning for the elections to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra has ended, with the battle for Mumbai's BMC taking center stage. Key political players are vying for control, with a focus on Marathi and Hindu voters.

'You Failed India On Stopping Infiltration'

'You Failed India On Stopping Infiltration'

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

'Imagine, for the last 12 years the prime minister belongs to the BJP, the home minister belongs to the BJP... If that is the case, you have waited for 12 years to remove infiltrators. Which means you and your central government has failed India on stopping infiltration.' The Rediff Podcast Featuring Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aditya Thackeray.

'Upset' Tharoor meets Kharge, Rahul; says 'all is good'

'Upset' Tharoor meets Kharge, Rahul; says 'all is good'

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi amid reports of discontent, stating that he is on the 'same page' with the leadership.

Accept Aadhaar, voter ID: SC to poll panel on Bihar SIR

Accept Aadhaar, voter ID: SC to poll panel on Bihar SIR

Rediff.com28 Jul 2025

Underscoring the 'presumption of genuineness' of Aadhaar and voter ID, the Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the publication of draft electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar and said it would once and for all decide pleas against Election Commission's special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

'Voter before citizen?' Plea seeks probe against Sonia Gandhi

'Voter before citizen?' Plea seeks probe against Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com4 Sep 2025

A plea has been filed seeking action against Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, alleging her name was included in the electoral rolls three years before she became an Indian citizen.

'Marathi Votes Alone Won't Save Thackerays'

'Marathi Votes Alone Won't Save Thackerays'

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

'This is purely transactional politics -- there exists no family reunion as such.'

'Dhurandhar Devendra' posters appear in Mumbai after BMC results

'Dhurandhar Devendra' posters appear in Mumbai after BMC results

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Large hoardings praising Fadnavis' leadership appeared across the city, reflecting a celebratory mood within the BJP camp following its strong performance in the country's richest civic body.

Amit Shah woos Bihar voters with defence corridor, factories

Amit Shah woos Bihar voters with defence corridor, factories

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah promised a defence corridor and factories in each district of Bihar if the NDA wins the upcoming elections. He also outlined plans for flood control, infrastructure development, and revival of sugar mills.

How Muslims Voted In BMC Elections

How Muslims Voted In BMC Elections

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

The real surprise in these results came from Asaduddin Owaisi's AIMIM. Of the 29 Muslim candidates who got elected to the 227-strong BMC, the Congress and the AIMIM between them bagged 22.

Marked dead in SIR, TMC councillor demands his last rites

Marked dead in SIR, TMC councillor demands his last rites

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

A Trinamool Congress councillor in West Bengal protested being listed as deceased in the draft electoral rolls by walking into a crematorium, highlighting concerns about voter list accuracy ahead of state elections.

BJP beats anti-incumbency in Nagpur, wins fourth term

BJP beats anti-incumbency in Nagpur, wins fourth term

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

The BJP is expected to win the Nagpur Municipal Corporation elections for the fourth consecutive time, owing to its strong organization and the influence of prominent leaders. The party has maintained its dominance in Nagpur since 2007.

'Mumbai mayor to be from...': Eknath Shinde meets new corporators

'Mumbai mayor to be from...': Eknath Shinde meets new corporators

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Amid speculation in political circles over Shiv Sena's stand vis-a-vis the next mayor of Mumbai, party leader and minister Uday Samant said the civic body polls were contested as the Mahayuti alliance.

Should EC allow dead voters on list?: CEC amid Bihar SIR row

Should EC allow dead voters on list?: CEC amid Bihar SIR row

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The Opposition has claimed that the move will disenfranchise crores of eligible citizens.

Malegaon May Chart A New Course For Muslim Politics

Malegaon May Chart A New Course For Muslim Politics

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

Whichever combination finally emerges, Malegaon could set a record for being a town run neither by Maharashtra's ruling Mahayuti, nor by the Opposition MVA, but by a combination of two or three Muslim parties.

'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.

'Dead' voter visits Bihar CEO to plead he's alive

'Dead' voter visits Bihar CEO to plead he's alive

Rediff.com15 Aug 2025

A resident of Bhojpur district in Bihar on Thursday called on the Chief Electoral Officer of the state to plead that he was alive.

No Congress-Samajwadi alliance in 2027 UP polls?

No Congress-Samajwadi alliance in 2027 UP polls?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The Congress party is intensifying its efforts to strengthen its organizational base in Uttar Pradesh, with plans to contest all 403 seats in the 2027 Assembly elections. Senior leaders emphasize grassroots preparations, voter outreach, and public meetings to regain political ground in the state.

Maha votes in civic body polls, all eyes on Mumbai

Maha votes in civic body polls, all eyes on Mumbai

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Polling for 2,869 seats spread across 893 wards in these municipal corporations began amid tight security at 7.30 am and will conclude at 5.30 pm. A total of 3.48 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates.

Rahul offers water, seat in jeep to injured cop during Voter Adhikar Yatra

Rahul offers water, seat in jeep to injured cop during Voter Adhikar Yatra

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

A police constable sustained injuries after falling near Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's vehicle during the Voter Adhikar Yatra in Nawada, Bihar. The incident sparked political reactions and accusations.

Will step in if there's mass exclusion: SC on Bihar voter list

Will step in if there's mass exclusion: SC on Bihar voter list

Rediff.com29 Jul 2025

The Supreme Court has stated it will intervene if there is mass exclusion in the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, emphasizing the Election Commission's role as a constitutional authority.

SC to hear pleas against EC's Bihar voter list overhaul on Monday

SC to hear pleas against EC's Bihar voter list overhaul on Monday

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi is likely to take up the matter in which the EC has justified its ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying it adds to the purity of the election by "weeding out ineligible persons" from the electoral rolls.

EC tells SC it has power to conduct SIR of electoral rolls

EC tells SC it has power to conduct SIR of electoral rolls

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

The Election Commission (EC) defended its power to revise electoral rolls and ensure no foreigners are registered as voters before the Supreme Court. The EC argued it has a constitutional duty to maintain the purity of electoral rolls and exclude those not eligible to vote.

BMC polls: BJP-Shinde Sena seal deal on 207 of 227 seats; BJP to contest 128

BMC polls: BJP-Shinde Sena seal deal on 207 of 227 seats; BJP to contest 128

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The ruling Mahayuti coalition in Mumbai has reached a consensus on seat distribution for the upcoming civic polls, with the BJP contesting 128 seats and the Shinde-led Shiv Sena 79.

Mumbai civic poll: Phase-wise counting may delay result declaration

Mumbai civic poll: Phase-wise counting may delay result declaration

Rediff.com16 Jan 2026

Phase-wise counting of votes in Mumbai civic polls, instead of simultaneously across all 227 electoral wards as done in 2017, could delay the declaration of results when the enumeration process begins on Friday morning, civic officials said on Thursday.

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.

DMK snubs Cong power-share demand, rules out coalition govt in TN

DMK snubs Cong power-share demand, rules out coalition govt in TN

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Senior DMK leader I Periyasamy reiterated that Chief Minister M K Stalin is firm against sharing power with allies, dismissing any possibility of a coalition government in Tamil Nadu.

EC publishes names of 65L deleted Bihar voters, INDIA bloc calls it farce

EC publishes names of 65L deleted Bihar voters, INDIA bloc calls it farce

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

The development came in the backdrop of the Supreme Court's direction that details of the deleted names be made public by August 19 and a compliance report be filed by August 22.

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

'Don't rob Gen Z of votes': Uddhav seeks to scrap 'unopposed' civic poll wins

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demands cancellation of civic elections where candidates won unopposed, alleging corruption and manipulation by ruling parties. He also criticizes the Maharashtra legislative assembly speaker and the misuse of BMC funds.

Mumbai mayor post for Sena will be tribute to Bal Thackeray: Shinde

Mumbai mayor post for Sena will be tribute to Bal Thackeray: Shinde

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Shinde also emphasised that Mumbai will have a Mahayuti mayor, dismissing reports of new political equations after the results of the civic polls were declared last week.

Bengal: 2,208 booths under lens after all SIR forms return

Bengal: 2,208 booths under lens after all SIR forms return

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

A total of 2,208 booths in West Bengal are under the scanner after all the distributed enumeration forms were returned filled up, indicating that there is not a single dead, duplicate or untraceable voter in these booths, EC sources said.

EC activates field machinery for pan-India voter review

EC activates field machinery for pan-India voter review

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

The Election Commission of India is preparing for a nationwide special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, following a Supreme Court ruling. This move aims to update voter lists and address concerns about illegal migrants.

Agencies flag 'crypto hawala' pipeline funding terror in J-K

Agencies flag 'crypto hawala' pipeline funding terror in J-K

Rediff.com18 Jan 2026

Mirroring the traditional hawala system, where money is sent through non-banking channels, this digital version uses the anonymity of unregulated cryptocurrency to erase the financial trail and inject cash into the domestic economy.