Bengali film actor Koyel Mallick, previously a TMC MP, has joined the BJP and is set to file her nomination for a Rajya Sabha seat, expressing her desire to contribute to West Bengal's development initiatives.
Eight BJP and two Samajwadi Party candidates are set to be elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh after the nomination papers of two independent candidates were rejected. This ensures all 10 available seats will be filled without a contest, with the BJP fielding new faces ahead of the 2027 assembly polls.
The Election Commission has announced elections for 12 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal on October 16. The BJP is expected to retain eight seats in UP and gain one in West Bengal, increasing its overall strength. The Samajwadi Party is also likely to gain one seat in UP, while Mayawati's BSP faces the prospect of losing its representation in Parliament.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has made a rare move by nominating two Rajya Sabha members as "special invitees" to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. This decision comes as the contentious Bill, referred to the 31-member JPC for detailed examination, faces opposition demands for its withdrawal.
Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned following an uproar over an alleged derogatory 'lungiwala' remark made by BJP MP Sushmita Dev against CPI(M)'s John Brittas, who had moved a privilege motion. Dev denied the accusation, stating she had not cast aspersions on any state's attire.
Its strength is set to increase by 3 seats once the current round of Rajya Sabha polls for 27 seats are concluded on June 28.
The BJP's decision to nominate three former TMC MPs for Rajya Sabha bypolls immediately after their induction into the party signals a strategic shift towards consolidating its position in West Bengal politics through selective accommodation of opposition leaders and organisational expansion.
An RTI reply has revealed that over Rs 262 crore was spent on salaries, allowances, and facilities for Rajya Sabha MPs in the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26. This includes more than Rs 151 crore specifically for allowances and travel, with a significant increase in expenditure from the first to the second year.
The TVK's decision to offer the lone Rajya Sabha seat to the Congress came against the backdrop of key meetings between national party leaders, including former union finance minister P Chidambaram and Congress Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar at the Secretariat.
The BJP has announced 11 candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls, notably omitting Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and George Kurian, whose terms end soon. This decision, alongside other recent appointments, has fuelled speculation about an imminent Cabinet reshuffle. The list includes new faces and senior party leaders from various states.
The Congress party has announced its seven candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Pawan Khera, Meenakshi Natarajan, Praveen Chakravarty, Neeraj Dangi, Mansoor Ali Khan, and Pranav Jha, representing various states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand. The elections are set for June 18.
The TMC is facing a crisis following its defeat in the West Bengal assembly polls and a rebellion that has significantly weakened its organisational and legislative strength.
Trinamool Congress MP Sushmita Dev has resigned from the Rajya Sabha, becoming the second TMC MP to do so this week. Speculation suggests she may join the BJP, following a meeting with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, amidst a broader rebellion within the TMC after its recent electoral defeat.
A complaint was submitted by BJP candidate Mahesh Kewat, contesting the third Rajya Sabha seat, to the Returning Officer alleging that Natarajan deliberately hid information about a case filed against her in Telangana.
Murugan's resignation comes amid speculation over an impending ministerial reshuffle.
The BJP has announced eight candidates, including minister Dharam Pal Singh, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh. These elections, scheduled for October 16, will fill 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, one from Uttarakhand, and a bypoll in West Bengal, with several prominent members retiring.
Union Minister of State L Murugan resigned from the Modi government and his Rajya Sabha membership on Tuesday, stating his intention to return to Tamil Nadu to strengthen the BJP ahead of the 2029 parliamentary elections. His resignation fuels speculation about an upcoming cabinet reshuffle.
On Friday, April 10, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan administered the oath to Nitish Kumar as Bihar's elected Rajya Sabha MP at Parliament House, New Delhi.
Harivansh has been re-elected as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha unopposed, marking his third term in the position.
Seven Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs have officially merged with the BJP in the Rajya Sabha, reducing AAP's strength in the Upper House. The move increases the BJP's presence and has been criticised by AAP as unconstitutional.
'Murugan did not come back voluntarily. He was asked to leave. He had a lucky run as a minister.'
The Election Commission has announced that elections for 12 Rajya Sabha seats across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal will take place on October 16. This includes 10 seats from Uttar Pradesh, one from Uttarakhand, and a bypoll in West Bengal, with significant implications for party representation, particularly for the BJP and BSP.
The Trinamool Congress has lost the chairpersonship of two significant Parliamentary panels following a reconstitution by Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. This development comes after a split in the TMC, with rebel MPs joining the Nationalist Citizen Party and supporting the NDA. The TMC has strongly criticised the move, alleging that Parliament is being turned into a 'deep, dark chamber' due to their exclusion from committee leadership.
The Congress party is seeking one Rajya Sabha seat in Jharkhand from the JMM and plans to discuss the matter with Chief Minister Hemant Soren, according to AICC Jharkhand in-charge K Raju.
CPI(M) leader John Brittas was allegedly manhandled and injured by Delhi Police personnel during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Rajya Sabha MP was taken to RML Hospital for examination. Brittas has written to the President, Rajya Sabha chairman, and CJI seeking an independent investigation into the alleged assault, claiming he was dragged, assaulted, and abandoned. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the incident, and other political leaders like M A Baby and Manoj Jha visited Brittas, criticising the police action and alleging brutality against protesters. The protest was organised to demand Kumar's resignation over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
Siddaramaiah has resigned from his position as Chief Minister of Karnataka, following instructions from the Congress high command. D K Shivakumar is expected to succeed him. The decision follows internal discussions and political manoeuvring within the Congress party.
The BJP has nominated Sanjay Bhatia, its former MP from Karnal, for the upcoming Rajya Sabha poll from Haryana. This decision comes as two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana are set to fall vacant, prompting elections scheduled for March 16.
A Parliamentary panel has recommended that district administrations withhold permission for rallies and public gatherings on competitive examination days to prevent disturbances for candidates. The panel also suggested allowing latecomers to enter exam halls with an undertaking and dedicating a 15-minute window for formalities outside the exam duration.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces a significant setback as several of its Rajya Sabha MPs, including key figures like Raghav Chadha and Sandeep Pathak, resign from the party, with some reportedly joining the BJP.
Members of the Students Federation of India and the Democratic Youth Federation of India staged a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, on October 2, 2026.
The Supreme Court registry has identified over 10 defects in the petition filed by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders concerning alleged large-scale voter deletions and irregularities in electoral rolls. Issues include missing ID cards, illegible pages, and a court fee shortfall. The petition seeks an independent audit of the Special Intensive Revision process.
Protesters in Manipur clashed with police outside a sports complex where the Chief Minister was present, demanding action over the recent killing of three Meitei men. A 48-hour shutdown has affected normal life in Imphal Valley districts, and effigies of political figures were burnt. The state continues to grapple with ethnic conflict.
The Opposition had the numbers to win one Rajya Sabha seat from Bihar. As it turned out, four MLAs skipped the voting, helping the NDA to sweep the polls.
Opposition parties are planning a third attempt to move a motion for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. This renewed effort follows an Indian Express report highlighting objections from two other Election Commissioners regarding decisions made without their knowledge, particularly concerning voter registration and electoral roll management.
Two members of the Pawar family, Sharad Pawar and his grandnephew Parth, are contesting Rajya Sabha seats from Maharashtra, marking a potential first where both serve simultaneously in Parliament.
Rajya Sabha elections in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana were marred by allegations of cross-voting and 'horse trading', leading to suspensions and warnings from the Congress party.
Will Nitish Kumar file his nomination for the Rajya Sabha on Thursday morning?
JD(U) MLA Anant Kumar Singh clarified his controversial "nine murders for Nitish Kumar" remark, stating it was misunderstood. He claimed he was referring to family members murdered due to his proximity to Nitish Kumar during RJD rule, not that he committed murders. The Mokama legislator, currently upset with JD(U) over legislative council polls, had previously made the statement causing a political stir.
Thousands of protesters, including farmers, trade unionists, students, and Left party members, marched towards the Election Commission of India headquarters in Delhi, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the withdrawal of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging 'vote chori' and exclusion of eligible citizens.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has ignited a controversy by suggesting India should learn from Albanian protesters who allegedly burnt down their Supreme Court due to its perceived support for a corrupt prime minister. Raut shared a video of the purported events, drawing sharp criticism from Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who highlighted Raut's recent apology to the Supreme Court.
