News for 'rajasthan elections'

Rajasthan BJP MLA disqualified after sentence in assault case

Rajasthan BJP MLA disqualified after sentence in assault case

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has terminated the membership of BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena after he was convicted and sentenced to three years in jail for pointing a pistol at a sub-divisional magistrate. Meena's membership was terminated effective from May 1, following legal opinion from the advocate general and senior legal experts. Meena had approached the Supreme Court seeking suspension of his sentence, but the top court dismissed his plea and directed him to surrender within two weeks. The Election Commission has been informed of the vacancy, and a by-election on the Anta seat would be held within six months.

Padikkal's 3rd ton in 4 games... turns VHT into ODI trial

Padikkal's 3rd ton in 4 games... turns VHT into ODI trial

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Devdutt Padikkal is turning the Vijay Hazare Trophy into a compelling audition for higher honours, registering his third century in four matches to keep his name firmly in the India ODI conversation.

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Iyer run out, Abhishek falls cheap

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Iyer run out, Abhishek falls cheap

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Madhya Pradesh sealed a 47-run victory over Kerala in their Group A Vijay Hazare Trophy clash on Monday, but the win did little to mask Venkatesh Iyer's continuing struggles with the bat.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

The trailer of the film, produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and directed by Kamakhya Narain Singh, released on Tuesday and landed straight into controversy. It tracks the stories of three Hindu women from three different states going against their families to marry Muslim men and then being forced to convert.

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

'Kerala Story 2' sparks fresh political firestorm ahead of release

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The upcoming Hindi film 'The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond' is embroiled in controversy, similar to its predecessor, with accusations of hate propaganda and defenses of legitimate concern over religious conversion.

SIR Phase 2: 6.5 cr voters dropped from draft rolls of 12 states

SIR Phase 2: 6.5 cr voters dropped from draft rolls of 12 states

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

The Election Commission removed 6.5 crore electors from the draft electoral rolls of nine states and three Union territories as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The removals are due to voters being absent, shifted, deceased, or duplicates.

SIR Exercise Covers Half Of Electorates

SIR Exercise Covers Half Of Electorates

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Since 2004, 12 states have added 160 million people to their rolls.

Bypolls: BJP wins Nagrota, MNF retains Dampa, Congress wins Anta

Bypolls: BJP wins Nagrota, MNF retains Dampa, Congress wins Anta

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Results and trends from recent bypolls across eight assembly seats in India show wins for MNF in Mizoram, BJP in Jammu and Kashmir, and Congress leading in Telangana and Rajasthan.

'Rahul Can't Play Victim All The Time'

'Rahul Can't Play Victim All The Time'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'Rahul Gandhi's problem is that he doesn't think big.' 'He looks more like an activist, while politics is like a game of chess. You attack and then defend and have a game-plan.'

EC extends SIR timeline in 6 states, UTs

EC extends SIR timeline in 6 states, UTs

Rediff.com11 Dec 2025

The Election Commission on Thursday extended the timeline for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in six states and Union territories following requests from the chief electoral officers.

Assembly bypolls in J-K, 6 states to be held on Nov 11

Assembly bypolls in J-K, 6 states to be held on Nov 11

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

The counting of votes will be done on November 14, along with the Bihar assembly election votes.

India's Problem: Strong Power, Weak Resistance

India's Problem: Strong Power, Weak Resistance

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

This new year will bring, once again, a repetition of both intent and apathy, expects Aakar Patel.

Modi to open Vande Mataram debate in LS on Dec 8, Amit Shah in RS on Dec 9

Modi to open Vande Mataram debate in LS on Dec 8, Amit Shah in RS on Dec 9

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Parliament is set to debate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram and election reforms, with key discussions led by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah.

Blame game erupts in Mahagathbandhan after Bihar poll rout

Blame game erupts in Mahagathbandhan after Bihar poll rout

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Bihar's opposition Mahagathbandhan is experiencing internal conflict following their defeat in the recent assembly elections. Congress leaders have expressed dissatisfaction with their alliance with the RJD, leading to a blame game and further disarray within the opposition camp.

Bengal's demography dangerously altered due to infiltration: Amit Shah

Bengal's demography dangerously altered due to infiltration: Amit Shah

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

Union Home Minister Amit Shah accuses West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of facilitating illegal immigration from Bangladesh, leading to demographic changes. He promises to end infiltration if BJP wins the upcoming elections.

70 pc of Punjab Congress, 90 pc of AICC with me: Sidhu's wife

70 pc of Punjab Congress, 90 pc of AICC with me: Sidhu's wife

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

Navjot Kaur Sidhu claims support within the Congress party after being suspended for her controversial remarks. She also accuses Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa of corruption and links to smugglers.

EC to conduct house-to-house verification of voters in Assam

EC to conduct house-to-house verification of voters in Assam

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has ordered a 'Special Revision' of electoral rolls in Assam, with the final voter list to be published on February 10, 2026. The revision aims to ensure clean and accurate electoral rolls, with house-to-house verification taking place from November 22 to December 20.

'Nitish Babu May Concede CM's Post To BJP'

'Nitish Babu May Concede CM's Post To BJP'

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

'The possibility of Nitish Babu continuing at least for some time is very much there, but don't rule out the artistic possibility of a leadership change executed very elegantly.'

2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'

2 officials die, another paralysed amid claims of 'SIR pressure'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2025

A series of deaths and health-related incidents involving staff deployed for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in multiple states has triggered alarm, even as West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Election Commission, calling the ongoing exercise 'chaotic, coercive and dangerous'.

SC asks states to add more staff, ease pressure on BLOs

SC asks states to add more staff, ease pressure on BLOs

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

The Supreme Court has directed states to consider deploying additional staff to ease the workload on booth level officers (BLOs) engaged in the special revision of electoral rolls, following concerns about extreme work pressure and related issues.

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Will D K Shivakumar Go The Sachin Pilot Way?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Even if D K Shivakumar wanted to oust Siddaramaiah, whose support would he take?
The shrewd politician that he is, Siddaramaiah figured his rival had no option but to lump it, points out Aditi Phadnis.

Bihar polls: Mahagathbandhan to release joint manifesto on Oct 28

Bihar polls: Mahagathbandhan to release joint manifesto on Oct 28

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav will address joint rallies before the first Phase of voting and, after that, for the seats in the second Phase of voting, they added.

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

States Have Thrown A Spanner In RBI's Easy-Money Machine

Rediff.com7 Jan 2026

State debt is rising because revenues are disappointingly weak. Ten states have debt ratios exceeding 30 per cent. In 2023-2024, states were borrowing simply to meet day-to-day expenses, points out Debashis Basu.

Shivraj Patil, towering Congress figure, felled by 26/11 fallout

Shivraj Patil, towering Congress figure, felled by 26/11 fallout

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Congress veteran and former Lok Sabha Speaker Shivraj Patil passed away at 90. He served as Union Home Minister and held several key posts during his long political career.

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.

EC extends SIR schedule by a week amid Opposition concerns

EC extends SIR schedule by a week amid Opposition concerns

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has extended the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in several states and Union Territories following concerns raised by opposition parties.

Govt open to debate on SIR, but don't insist timeline, Rijiju tells Oppn

Govt open to debate on SIR, but don't insist timeline, Rijiju tells Oppn

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated the government is open to discussing electoral reforms in the Rajya Sabha, urging the Opposition not to impose a timeline. Opposition parties staged a walkout after demanding an immediate discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

2nd phase of voter revision in 12 states, UTs from Nov-Feb

2nd phase of voter revision in 12 states, UTs from Nov-Feb

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

The Election Commission will conduct phase two of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union territories between November and February, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on Monday.

Comeback Kings! Rohit, Kohli slam centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Comeback Kings! Rohit, Kohli slam centuries in Vijay Hazare Trophy

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

Senior pros Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli made a grand comeback to the Vijay Hazare Trophy, smashing centuries on the opening day of the one-day tournament on Wednesday.

How Congress Startled BJP in Rajasthan

How Congress Startled BJP in Rajasthan

Rediff.com17 Jun 2024

The BJP's nationwide vote share saw its steepest decline in Rajasthan, falling by 9.23% from 2019, resulting in the loss of 11 seats.

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

'Bihar Doesn't Predict Outcomes In Bengal, UP'

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

'The question for the TMC is not whether it can hold its bastions, but whether it can expand effectively into regions where the BJP already possesses a good ecosystem.'

26/11 Hero Bajrang Singh's Downfall And Capture

26/11 Hero Bajrang Singh's Downfall And Capture

Rediff.com4 Oct 2025

How a Legendary Commando's Downfall Began with a Simple Meal: The Tale of Bajrang Singh's Capture.

The New Found Importance Of Nitin Nabin

The New Found Importance Of Nitin Nabin

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

'The move to appoint a person with a profile, markedly lower than the leader Nitin Nabin will replace, has the potential to put the brakes on the careers of several others in the party and government in the positions they currently hold,' points out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

SIR to begin in 9 states, 3 UTs tomorrow

SIR to begin in 9 states, 3 UTs tomorrow

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission's voters' list cleanup exercise, will commence in nine states and three Union territories from Tuesday.

BJP Deploys 45 Pravasi Netas For Bihar Polls

BJP Deploys 45 Pravasi Netas For Bihar Polls

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Each leader will look after six assembly constituencies.
Most of these leaders are known for their organisational skills and successful management of elections in their respective states.

Opposition questions EC intentions behind electoral roll revision

Opposition questions EC intentions behind electoral roll revision

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Opposition parties are questioning the Election Commission's intentions behind the second phase of special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories. The BJP has slammed the Congress and called the opposition a 'herd of dissatisfied souls'.

Sidda-Shivakumar call truce, but tensions simmer beneath

Sidda-Shivakumar call truce, but tensions simmer beneath

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Opposition parties and political analysts in Karnataka believe the 'truce' between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar is temporary, a lull before the storm and a 'strategic adjustment'.

Why steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is leaving UK

Why steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal is leaving UK

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Indian-origin steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, until now based in Britain and a regular on the country's richest billionaires tally, has decided to quit the UK as the Labour Party-led government's feared tax shake-up for the super-rich nears, according to a UK media report on Sunday.

SIR begins in 12 states, UTs; Oppn claims poll rigging

SIR begins in 12 states, UTs; Oppn claims poll rigging

Rediff.com5 Nov 2025

Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voters' list commenced in nine states and three Union territories on Tuesday, amid objections from several parties with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee leading the anti-SIR offensive in West Bengal with a rally in Kolkata and alleging 'silent, invisible rigging' through the exercise.

The Rise And Fall Of Jagdeep Dhankhar

The Rise And Fall Of Jagdeep Dhankhar

Rediff.com24 Jul 2025

The RSS which catapulted Jagdeep Dhankar to national prominence after 21 years of hibernation could not come to his rescue when BJP higher ups decided to seek his resignation, points out Prakash Bhandari.