News for 'panchayat elections'

Pankaja Munde's helicopter faces snag ahead of take-off

Pankaja Munde's helicopter faces snag ahead of take-off

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

A technical snag was detected in a helicopter scheduled to transport Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde for campaigning, delaying her journey. The issue was discovered during a routine inspection, leading to the grounding of the helicopter and a DGCA investigation.

Mob attacks police station in Bengal's Sandeshkhali, 6 cops injured

Mob attacks police station in Bengal's Sandeshkhali, 6 cops injured

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Six policemen were injured and a police vehicle vandalised in a mob attack during an attempt to arrest a TMC worker in Sandeshkhali, once again pushing the coastal block into political focus ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Will Mahayuti's sweep carry into Dec 2 Maha local body polls?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections on December 2 for municipal councils and nagar panchayats. The polls are seen as a test of the ruling coalition's strength after their recent assembly election victory.

Hand over Sabarimala gold case to neutral agency: Amit Shah to Kerala CM

Hand over Sabarimala gold case to neutral agency: Amit Shah to Kerala CM

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticizes Kerala's ruling Left government over the Sabarimala gold loss case, demanding a neutral investigation and accusing the government of protecting the real culprits. He also signals the start of the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Assembly elections.

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.

Voter revision reunites MP man with mother after 22 yrs

Voter revision reunites MP man with mother after 22 yrs

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

A man who left his home in Madhya Pradesh's Mandsaur district 22 years ago after his family opposed his marriage was reunited with his mother because of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, police said on Saturday.

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Maha set for first phase of local polls on Tuesday amid nomination issues

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Maharashtra is set to hold local body elections for municipal councils and nagar panchayats, marking the first phase of a Supreme Court-mandated process. The elections are seen as a key indicator of political sentiment following the BJP-led Mahayuti's victory in the assembly elections.

Bengal panchayat poll results will be subject to our final orders: HC

Bengal panchayat poll results will be subject to our final orders: HC

Rediff.com12 Jul 2023

The court directed the State Election Commission, the state government and the central government to file affidavits dealing with all the allegations made in three petitions alleging malpractices.

Ajit Pawar's death puts question mark over NCP's future

Ajit Pawar's death puts question mark over NCP's future

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

The death of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has created a leadership crisis within the NCP, raising questions about the party's future and potential reunification with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP).

Congress sets sights on 100-seat comeback in Kerala polls

Congress sets sights on 100-seat comeback in Kerala polls

Rediff.com4 Jan 2026

AICC general secretary K C Venugopal announced the Congress party's goal to win 100 seats in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. He highlighted the party's strategy, including early candidate selection, opportunities for youth, and addressing alleged alliances between CPI(M) and BJP.

UP panchayat polls: Huge participation despite COVID surge

UP panchayat polls: Huge participation despite COVID surge

Rediff.com15 Apr 2021

The elections are being seen as a semi-final to the 2022 assembly election.

Maha civic polls marred by violence, bogus voting allegations

Maha civic polls marred by violence, bogus voting allegations

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The first phase of polling for municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Maharashtra was disrupted by violence and allegations of bogus voting. Clashes occurred between supporters of ruling allies BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena. The Bombay High Court directed the SEC to postpone the counting of votes.

The Lady Who Got A Dreaded Maoist To Surrender

The Lady Who Got A Dreaded Maoist To Surrender

Rediff.com27 Feb 2026

'They are not abandoning their ideology. They now believe it is better to pursue their goals through the Constitution rather than from the barrel of a gun -- even if the ideology itself remains intact.'

Pan-India SIR: 50% voters may not have to show any proof, says EC

Pan-India SIR: 50% voters may not have to show any proof, says EC

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

The Election Commission is preparing to roll out a special intensive revision of voter lists across India, potentially before the end of the year. Most voters may not need to provide additional documents if they are already on the electoral roll from the last special intensive revision in their state.

Can democracy be safe if infiltrators decide PM: Shah defends SIR

Can democracy be safe if infiltrators decide PM: Shah defends SIR

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Lok Sabha, accusing the opposition of spreading falsehoods and questioning the safety of democracy if leaders are chosen by infiltrators.

'Roads, bridges kill, water kills': Rahul on Noida techie death

'Roads, bridges kill, water kills': Rahul on Noida techie death

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

Gandhi shared a video carrying the remarks of an eyewitness, who said timely action could have saved the man, and that of the deceased's father, who lamented that there were several people there with some of them making videos but did not act to save his son.

'Girls Are Taking A Leap Of Faith Every Day'

'Girls Are Taking A Leap Of Faith Every Day'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Bandana Preyashi, the bold IAS officer from Bihar who took on dreaded dons, is the court-appointed mentor to 18-year-old Sakshi, who had fled home to follow her IAS dream.

Sugar industry relieved as Centre allows 1.5 mt import

Sugar industry relieved as Centre allows 1.5 mt import

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Amid the political push and pull, the Centre's decision to allow sugar exports and remove the 50 per cent duty on molasses exports has rekindled hope in the industry that more relief may follow.

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

'For Them, A Woman Is A Body. Nothing More'

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

''Women are coming into public spaces in larger numbers than ever before. They are educated, capable, opinionated, and determined.' 'But the more women push for access to public space, the harder they are pushed back -- through attacks like this, through discrimination, through the glass ceiling, through the deliberate denial of recognition.'

3 shot dead in clashes during Bengal panchayat poll nominations

3 shot dead in clashes during Bengal panchayat poll nominations

Rediff.com16 Jun 2023

Three persons were shot dead and several others were injured as violence and arson marked the conclusion of nomination filing for the three-tier West Bengal panchayat polls slated next month.

WB Panchayat Polls: Dry Run For TMC, BJP

WB Panchayat Polls: Dry Run For TMC, BJP

Rediff.com4 Mar 2023

'For the politics of patronage in West Bengal, it has always been important to have territorial control.'

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Ajit Pawar's Balancing Act With Muslims

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

Ajit Pawar became a ray of hope for Muslims, the only man in power who could resolve their grievances.

Bengal panchayat repolling peaceful, 67% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Bengal panchayat repolling peaceful, 67% voter turnout recorded till 5 pm

Rediff.com10 Jul 2023

The repolling started at 7 am amid tight security with four central forces personnel deployed in each booth, besides state police. Till 11 am, 10.9 per cent voter turnout was recorded.

But he opposes SIR, poll officials hit back at Rahul Gandhi

But he opposes SIR, poll officials hit back at Rahul Gandhi

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Rahul alleged that 25 lakh votes were stolen in Haryana through 5.21 lakh duplicate voters, 93,174 invalid voters, and 19.26 lakh bulk voters.

BJD sweeps Odisha panchayat polls; BJP, Cong far behind

BJD sweeps Odisha panchayat polls; BJP, Cong far behind

Rediff.com1 Mar 2022

The latest trend issued by the State Election Commission showed the BJD had already won or was leading in 762 Zilla Parishad seats, as compared to BJP's 46 and Congress's 36 seats.

BJP, Cong-led MVA claim victory in Nagpur gram panchayat polls

BJP, Cong-led MVA claim victory in Nagpur gram panchayat polls

Rediff.com6 Nov 2023

In a press release, BJP Nagpur Rural president Sudhakar Kohale said his party had won 238 sarpanch posts in 361 gram panchayats, while the Congress said the Maha Vikas Aghadi had been victorious on 223 posts.

12 killed as violence rocks Bengal panchayat polls

12 killed as violence rocks Bengal panchayat polls

Rediff.com8 Jul 2023

Among those killed were eight from TMC, and one worker each of the BJP, the CPI-M, the Congress and the ISF.

Shinde meets Shah, complains against 'some Mahayuti leaders'

Shinde meets Shah, complains against 'some Mahayuti leaders'

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

He also told Shah that avoidable disruptions could potentially hinder the Mahayuti alliance's winning momentum and give undue advantage to the Opposition, they said.

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.

'1,621 teachers died of COVID-19 during UP panchayat polls'

'1,621 teachers died of COVID-19 during UP panchayat polls'

Rediff.com9 Jun 2021

'Basic Covid protocols were not followed, which is why so many teachers lost their lives.'

'Only BJP Can Defeat BJP In Gujarat'

'Only BJP Can Defeat BJP In Gujarat'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

'The BJP's top leadership realised that their cadres are not happy with them, so they changed the ministers and got in new faces.'

HC orders central forces for July 8 West Bengal panchayat polls

HC orders central forces for July 8 West Bengal panchayat polls

Rediff.com13 Jun 2023

The court also left it to the discretion of the State Election Commission to take a call on extension of time for filing of nominations, refusing to consider a prayer in this regard.

2 IAS officers suspended after Punjab U-turn on panchayat dissolution

2 IAS officers suspended after Punjab U-turn on panchayat dissolution

Rediff.com31 Aug 2023

Hours after taking a 'U-turn' by informing the high court that it is withdrawing its notification dissolving all gram panchayats in the state, the Punjab government suspended two senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers on Thursday for a 'technically-flawed' decision.

Don't want to embarrass Cong: Shivakumar's big remark amid power tiff

Don't want to embarrass Cong: Shivakumar's big remark amid power tiff

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, D K Shivakumar, responding to several media queries regarding the current 'internal conflict' in Karnataka Congress in reference to the chief ministerial position, said on Tuesday that he doesn't want to embarrass or weaken the party.

Fadnavis downplays Ajit Pawar's fund remarks; denies rift with Shinde

Fadnavis downplays Ajit Pawar's fund remarks; denies rift with Shinde

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed concerns about discriminatory fund allocation and reports of a rift with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, dismissing both as unfounded.

UP panchayat polls: BJP takes a hit in Ayodhya

UP panchayat polls: BJP takes a hit in Ayodhya

Rediff.com4 May 2021

The BJP has won just eight out of the 40 zila panchayat seats in Ayodhya, a disappointment for the ruling party in the district on which the Centre and the state government have lavished much attention.

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Local body polls soon? Maha cabinet takes 21 decisions in single day

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

A series of decisions were taken under the Public Health Department, including an approval to increase honoraria for field-level workers engaged under the Ayushman BharatPradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana.

Cong divided over tie-up with MNS for Mumbai civic polls

Cong divided over tie-up with MNS for Mumbai civic polls

Rediff.com22 Nov 2025

State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal has reiterated that the party would never join hands with "those who indulge in violence".

'If NDA Manipulates Elections, They May Return To Power'

'If NDA Manipulates Elections, They May Return To Power'

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

'They have no chance of winning if free and fair polls are conducted.'

'No law should...': Modi's 'Reform Express' pitch at NDA meet

'No law should...': Modi's 'Reform Express' pitch at NDA meet

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed NDA parliamentarians, emphasizing that laws and regulations should serve the convenience of the common people and not cause harassment.