News for 'rajya sabha elections'

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.

Amid rumblings in alliance, Ajit Pawar meets Amit Shah

Amid rumblings in alliance, Ajit Pawar meets Amit Shah

Rediff.com25 Jul 2024

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who heads the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has held a meeting with Union Home Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah in Delhi.

'How many more people should die?': Oppn demands Shah's resignation

'How many more people should die?': Oppn demands Shah's resignation

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge criticizes Home Minister Amit Shah, calling him 'incompetent' and demanding his resignation following a deadly blast in Delhi, citing intelligence failure and lack of accountability.

EC to move apex court on RS elections

EC to move apex court on RS elections

Rediff.com5 Jun 2004

The Supreme Court on Friday stayed the June 21 Rajya Sabha biennial elections and made EC a party to a petition challenging the new open balloting system and the decision to do away with the domicile requirements.

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

More to Dhankhar's resignation than health issues: Congress

Rediff.com22 Jul 2025

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that there are "far deeper reasons" for Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation as the vice president than the health reasons cited by him, and said his resignation speaks highly of him but poorly of those who got him elected to the post.

Nitin Nabin Was 7 Weeks Old When BJP Was Formed In 1980

Nitin Nabin Was 7 Weeks Old When BJP Was Formed In 1980

Rediff.com15 Dec 2025

BJP sources said the formal process to elect current party President J P Nadda's successor will begin in mid-January, following Makar Sankranti, with Nitin Nabin expected to be the frontrunner to file his nomination.

Govt may not discuss Bihar SIR in Parliament

Govt may not discuss Bihar SIR in Parliament

Rediff.com1 Aug 2025

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defends Parliament's inability to discuss the Election Commission's functioning, citing a former speaker's ruling. The Opposition's demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls continues to disrupt the Monsoon session.

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Maha Guv CP Radhakrishnan named NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate

Rediff.com17 Aug 2025

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) has nominated Maharashta Governor Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan as their candidate for Vice-President of India. The announcement was made by BJP President J P Nadda, highlighting Radhakrishnan's extensive public service and cross-party respect.

RSS march allowed in Kharge's stronghold, conditions apply

RSS march allowed in Kharge's stronghold, conditions apply

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

The Yadgir district administration has granted conditional permission for an RSS route march in Gurmitkal town, the constituency of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The march is part of the RSS centenary celebrations and is subject to several conditions to maintain peace and order.

Putnya Takes On Kaka In Baramati

Putnya Takes On Kaka In Baramati

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

Five months after a couple of Pawars jousted in an electoral battle in Baramati, two other Pawars will take on each other at the hustings on November 20, 2024.

INDIA bloc to move SC over EVM concerns in Maharashtra polls

INDIA bloc to move SC over EVM concerns in Maharashtra polls

Rediff.com11 Dec 2024

Meanwhile, the Congress' data analytics department chairperson Praveen Chakravarty on Tuesday wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, seeking assembly-wise voter rolls in excel sheet format for the Lok Sabha elections and the assembly polls in Maharashtra.

Won't work for Congress any more: Ahmed Patel's son Faisal

Won't work for Congress any more: Ahmed Patel's son Faisal

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

Faisal Patel, son of late Congress stalwart Ahmed Patel, has announced he will stop working for the grand old party, claiming that he tried to follow in his father's footsteps but was denied at every step. Ahmed Patel, who had served as a Rajya Sabha MP, All Indian Congress Committee treasurer and former party president Sonia Gandhi's political secretary, died in November 2020. Faisal had aspired to contest from the Bharuch seat in Gujarat in last year's Lok Sabha elections but the Congress did not nominate him.

Will form govt alone: AIADMK leader days after tie-up with BJP

Will form govt alone: AIADMK leader days after tie-up with BJP

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

Senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai has asserted that there will be no coalition government in Tamil Nadu in 2026, with party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami forming a government "alone." He said this in response to reporters' queries on the possibility of a coalition government if the NDA wins the 2026 Assembly election. Thambidurai stated that Tamil Nadu has never had a coalition government, citing the examples of Congress leaders C Rajagopalachari and K Kamaraj, as well as Dravidian stalwarts M G Ramachandran and M Karunanidhi. He further clarified that Palaniswami's previous statement regarding a coalition government was misinterpreted by the media.

President's address on Thursday, debate to be next govt-Oppn friction point

President's address on Thursday, debate to be next govt-Oppn friction point

Rediff.com27 Jun 2024

Murmu's address to the joint sitting of Parliament will also be the first after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha.

Bihar's Liquor Ban Faces Heat Ahead Of Elections

Bihar's Liquor Ban Faces Heat Ahead Of Elections

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

As the election nears, political positions on prohibition are shifting.

Never called for dissolving INDIA bloc or MVA: Sanjay Raut

Never called for dissolving INDIA bloc or MVA: Sanjay Raut

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has stated that his party wants to go solo in the upcoming local body elections to strengthen its base. This statement has raised questions about the unity of the opposition INDIA bloc and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and NCP (SP). Raut clarified that the party has not called for the dissolution of either bloc and that the local body elections are an opportunity to empower party workers at the grassroots level. He also criticized Congress leaders for reacting to his comments without hearing the full context.

Parliament passes National Sports Bill after extensive discussion

Parliament passes National Sports Bill after extensive discussion

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill was on Tuesday passed by the Parliament with Rajya Sabha giving its nod a mere 24 hours after Lok Sabha.

Centre upgrades EPS security to Z-Plus post threat assessment

Centre upgrades EPS security to Z-Plus post threat assessment

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

The decision comes amid an assessment of potential security threats and follows standard protocol based on inputs from central security agencies.

HP Congress chief opts out of LS polls, says party workers upset

HP Congress chief opts out of LS polls, says party workers upset

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

In a jolt to the ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh, state party chief and Mandi MP Pratibha Singh on Wednesday announced that she has decided not to contest the Lok Sabha elections as the ground situation was "not favourable" and workers were disheartened.

Pahalgam, Op Sindoor to dominate Parl this week; will Tharoor speak?

Pahalgam, Op Sindoor to dominate Parl this week; will Tharoor speak?

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

A big question mark is on whether Shashi Tharoor, who had led the delegation to the US among other countries, will be picked as speaker by the Congress, as the seasoned Lok Sabha member's enthusiastic endorsement of the government's action following the terror attack has soured his ties with his party.

LS polls: BJP appoints in-charges for 23 states, UTs

LS polls: BJP appoints in-charges for 23 states, UTs

Rediff.com27 Jan 2024

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday appointed election in-charges and co-in-charges for 23 states and Union territories in view of the Lok Sabha polls this year.

JD-U, BJP discuss seat sacrifice to calm restive allies

JD-U, BJP discuss seat sacrifice to calm restive allies

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Having struck a seat-sharing deal, leaders of the Janata Dal-United and the Bharatiya Janata Party sat across the table in Patna on Monday to thrash out, among other things, constituencies they planned to swap or give up in favour of smaller allies in Bihar.

Nitish not going to Rajya Sabah, says JD-U

Nitish not going to Rajya Sabah, says JD-U

Rediff.com24 May 2014

Amid reports of Nitish Kumar shifting to Delhi as Rajya Sabha member to play a bigger role in uniting parties against the Bharatiya Janata Party, Bihar Janata Dal-United President Basistha Narayan Singh on Saturday dismissed any such possibility terming the reports as "imaginary."

Not certain if INDIA bloc still intact: P Chidambaram

Not certain if INDIA bloc still intact: P Chidambaram

Rediff.com16 May 2025

The former Union finance minister warned that the INDIA bloc was fighting against a "formidable machinery", which must be fought on all fronts.

RS polls in 4 states to be videographed, have special observers

RS polls in 4 states to be videographed, have special observers

Rediff.com9 Jun 2022

Amid allegations of attempts at horse-trading in the Rajya Sabha elections in four states, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday said special observers have been appointed to oversee the poll process which will be videographed.

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Waqf Bill brazen assault on Constitution: Sonia Gandhi

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi has criticized the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it a 'brazen assault' on the Constitution and part of the BJP's strategy to keep society in a 'permanent state of polarization.' She also spoke out against the One Nation, One Election Bill, calling it a 'subversion of the Constitution.' Gandhi further accused the Modi government of ignoring the women's reservation bill and other demands for reservation, and of 'dragging the country into an abyss' where the Constitution will only exist on paper. She also criticized the government for limiting the speaking time of the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and for not allowing discussions on important issues like the working of the defense and external affairs ministries and the challenges posed by China on the border.

Oppn seeks debate on SIR, national security in Parl; govt says...

Oppn seeks debate on SIR, national security in Parl; govt says...

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

Opposition parties in India are demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and national security in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. They raised concerns about federalism, national security, and the purity of voter lists during an all-party meeting.

Cong replaces 6 gen secretaries in major organisational revamp

Cong replaces 6 gen secretaries in major organisational revamp

Rediff.com14 Feb 2025

In a major organisational revamp, the Congress on Friday appointed former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel as general secretary in-charge of Punjab and Rajya Sabha MP Syed Naseer Hussain as general secretary for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Phase 2 of Bihar polls tomorrow, Nitish ministers in fray

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Electoral fortunes of 1,302 candidates, including over half a dozen ministers in the Nitish Kumar government, will be sealed on Tuesday with 3.70 crore voters eligible to exercise their franchise across 122 assembly segments in the second and final phase of the Bihar polls.

First session of 18th Lok Sabha likely to begin from June 15

First session of 18th Lok Sabha likely to begin from June 15

Rediff.com7 Jun 2024

The first session will commence in the third week of June with the oath-taking by the newly elected candidates as members of the House, the sources said, adding the oath-taking is likely to continue for two days, following which a new Speaker will be elected.

Welcome Maha guv's bid for VP polls with open mind but...: Raut

Welcome Maha guv's bid for VP polls with open mind but...: Raut

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

If the INDIA bloc and NDA develop consensus then Shiv Sena-UBT will also be part of that process, Raut said.

Cong observers meet Himachal MLAs one-on-one; 6 rebels disappear

Cong observers meet Himachal MLAs one-on-one; 6 rebels disappear

Rediff.com29 Feb 2024

uring the meeting at the Cecil Hotel in Shimla, discussions were being held and feedback taken from MLAs, sources said.

Nitish Kumar set for record 10th term as Bihar CM

Nitish Kumar set for record 10th term as Bihar CM

Rediff.com19 Nov 2025

Nitish Kumar is poised to lead the NDA government in Bihar, with key political developments unfolding ahead of the swearing-in ceremony. The article covers the election of the NDA leader, cabinet allocation discussions, and reactions to the election results, including Prashant Kishor's claims and the family feud within Lalu Prasad's family.

Who'll be next BCCI prez and IPL chief?

Who'll be next BCCI prez and IPL chief?

Rediff.com3 Sep 2025

The BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the end of September will be an interesting affair with a few top posts, including that of president and IPL chairman, up for grabs.

'EC Can Shut Mouths Once And For All'

'EC Can Shut Mouths Once And For All'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2024

'If machines (EVMs) are so reliable, if our electoral system is so reliable, then why has the Election Commission so far not even responded to an ADR plea to share data of 79 (Lok Sabha) constituencies where there's a (alleged) dispute?'

Are These Parliament's Formidable MPs?

Are These Parliament's Formidable MPs?

Rediff.com2 Aug 2023

What would Parliament be without these nine ladies?

Himachal assembly speaker expels 15 BJP MLAs amid crisis

Himachal assembly speaker expels 15 BJP MLAs amid crisis

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

They were suspended for misbehaviour and shouting slogans in the House.

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

TMC names Mamata's nephew Abhishek Banerjee as LS Parl party leader

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

Trinamool Congress (TMC) has appointed Abhishek Banerjee as its new parliamentary leader in the Lok Sabha, replacing Sudip Bandopadhyay. The decision was made during a virtual meeting chaired by Mamata Banerjee. This move is seen as a generational shift and a preparation for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

Opposition to name joint VP candidate on Tuesday, South face-off likely

Opposition to name joint VP candidate on Tuesday, South face-off likely

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

Opposition parties are expected to announce their joint vice-presidential candidate, potentially leading to a 'south versus south' contest. Meetings and discussions have been held to finalize the candidate, with names from Tamil Nadu being considered. The opposition aims to field a non-political figure with national standing.

Patnaik steps in as anger over BJD's flipflop on Waqf continues

Patnaik steps in as anger over BJD's flipflop on Waqf continues

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

A section of Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leaders in Odisha are expressing discontent over the party's decision to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The issue has sparked internal turmoil, with young leaders submitting a memorandum to party president Naveen Patnaik, urging him to address the situation. Patnaik has held meetings with senior leaders, assuring them that necessary action will be taken to mitigate the fallout and maintain the party's secular image.