News for 'union ministers'

Why Mamata Banerjee Opposes The Delimitation Bill

Why Mamata Banerjee Opposes The Delimitation Bill

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP-led central government of using the proposed amendment to the women's quota law as a front for the Delimitation Bill, which she claims will divide the country. She asserted that her party, the TMC, will fight this move at every step.

Lok Sabha seats to be increased by 50%; 272 reserved for women: Govt

Lok Sabha seats to be increased by 50%; 272 reserved for women: Govt

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

The Lok Sabha is set to expand to 815 seats, with 272 seats reserved for women, according to Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. The move aims to implement the women's quota without disadvantaging men or any state. The proposed legislations also include provisions for reservation for women from SC and ST categories within the women's quota.

From troll target to TDP's future: Lokesh's long march

From troll target to TDP's future: Lokesh's long march

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Nara Lokesh, once heavily criticised, has risen to become the National Working President of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), marking a significant generational transition within the party.

Marathi now must for Maha auto, taxi drivers; special drive from May 1

Marathi now must for Maha auto, taxi drivers; special drive from May 1

Rediff.com28 Apr 2026

Maharashtra minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a special verification drive from May 1 to August 15 to enforce the decision making Marathi mandatory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state, during which no punitive action will be taken.

700 CAPF companies to stay in Bengal after polls: EC

700 CAPF companies to stay in Bengal after polls: EC

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

Around 700 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will continue to remain deployed across West Bengal after the completion of polling, an Election Commission official said on Wednesday.

Parliament Budget Session: LS debates FCRA amendment; Oppn raises flag

Parliament Budget Session: LS debates FCRA amendment; Oppn raises flag

Rediff.com1 Apr 2026

Lok Sabha takes up FCRA Amendment Bill amid opposition protests.

India's 10-Year Plan To Become A Sporting Powerhouse

India's 10-Year Plan To Become A Sporting Powerhouse

Rediff.com25 Apr 2026

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya emphasised the importance of executing the country's 10-year roadmap to become a global sporting powerhouse during the Chintan Shivir held in Srinagar. The event saw participation from state sports ministers and eminent sports personalities, focusing on active implementation and grassroots development.

Seers step up pressure on Congress for Shivakumar as CM

Seers step up pressure on Congress for Shivakumar as CM

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

A forum of swamijis has urged the Congress high command to immediately appoint D K Shivakumar as the Chief Minister of Karnataka, warning of consequences if the demand is not met.

How TN defeated Constitution Amendment Bill

How TN defeated Constitution Amendment Bill

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin celebrated the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, emphasising the unity of the south and the triumph of democracy. The bill aimed to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase Lok Sabha seats. Stalin criticised the bill as weakening the balance of the union and asserted Tamil Nadu's commitment to justice, dignity, and federalism.

Delhi Police Nab Suspect In Double Murder Case

Delhi Police Nab Suspect In Double Murder Case

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

Delhi Police have arrested Asad Siddiqui, the main suspect in the double murder of an elderly man and his son in the Alaknanda area. The victims, Rakesh Sood and Karan Sood, were stabbed to death following a financial dispute. A third person, Rahul, was injured in the attack.

Integrating PoK with India could have been feasible if...: Union minister

Integrating PoK with India could have been feasible if...: Union minister

Rediff.com8 Jul 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long harboured the dream of adding PoK to India's map, he said while speaking at a felicitation event organised by the Mahayuti alliance in Akola.

Amit Shah Promises to Recover 'Stolen' Funds, Boost North Bengal Development

Amit Shah Promises to Recover 'Stolen' Funds, Boost North Bengal Development

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah pledged the BJP will recover funds allegedly stolen by the TMC in Bengal and promised development schemes for North Bengal, while attacking Mamata Banerjee's governance.

Why Union ministers thank Rahul for Ladakh bike trip

Why Union ministers thank Rahul for Ladakh bike trip

Rediff.com20 Aug 2023

Rijiju complimented Rahul for promoting the excellent roads built in the Himalayan region under Modi's leadership.

'BJP Was Waiting To Get Rid Of Nitish Kumar'

'BJP Was Waiting To Get Rid Of Nitish Kumar'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

'The BJP must have decided to replace Nitish with a green signal from JD-U leaders close to him.'

Mamata Banerjee Says TMC Will Support Women's Quota Bill

Mamata Banerjee Says TMC Will Support Women's Quota Bill

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the TMC will support the women's quota bill but opposes the delimitation bill introduced by the Modi government in the Lok Sabha. She also criticised the central government over central agency raids on TMC candidates.

How NDA Won All 5 Rajya Sabha Seats In Bihar

How NDA Won All 5 Rajya Sabha Seats In Bihar

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

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.

Nitish Kumar exits, legacy marked by progress and contradictions

Nitish Kumar exits, legacy marked by progress and contradictions

Rediff.com14 Apr 2026

An analysis of Nitish Kumar's tenure as Chief Minister of Bihar, highlighting his contributions to development and social justice alongside controversies and political shifts.

From hills to Jungal Mahal, TMC draws a blank in 29 Bengal districts

From hills to Jungal Mahal, TMC draws a blank in 29 Bengal districts

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The BJP achieved a clean sweep in nine districts of West Bengal, securing all 68 seats in these regions during the recent election. This victory marks a significant shift in the state's political landscape, ending the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule and establishing the BJP's dominance.

Shinde Sena workers behaving like goons: BJP minister

Shinde Sena workers behaving like goons: BJP minister

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Union minister Raksha Khadse of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday alleged that Shiv Sena workers were intimidating people in the Muktainagar assembly segment in her home district of Jalgaon in north Maharashtra, a claim exposing strains between the two Mahayuti allies.

Gorkha Issue To Be Resolved In Six Months: Shah

Gorkha Issue To Be Resolved In Six Months: Shah

Rediff.com21 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has pledged to resolve the long-standing Gorkha issue within six months if the BJP wins the West Bengal elections. He criticised previous governments for failing to address the aspirations of the Gorkha people and promised a solution acceptable to them.

Bhagwant Mann Rebukes BJP's 'Absurd' Statements on Chandigarh Blast

Bhagwant Mann Rebukes BJP's 'Absurd' Statements on Chandigarh Blast

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised BJP leaders for blaming his government for the blast outside the BJP headquarters in Chandigarh, emphasising that the area falls under the Union Territory's administration. He also addressed other issues, including taxes and farmers' concerns.

TVK chief Vijay meets guv again, swearing-in likely on Saturday

TVK chief Vijay meets guv again, swearing-in likely on Saturday

Rediff.com8 May 2026

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay, buoyed by the support from the Left parties, on Friday called on Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan in Chennai in connection with securing an invite from him to form the government.

Mumbai's iconic Air India building set to become Maha govt hub soon

Mumbai's iconic Air India building set to become Maha govt hub soon

Rediff.com29 Apr 2026

The Maharashtra government is nearing the acquisition of the Air India building in south Mumbai after the Finance Department transferred Rs 1,600 crore to the Public Works Department. The agreement with Air India Assets Holding Limited is expected to be signed within two weeks, providing much-needed office space for state government departments.

Amit Shah Counters Concerns Over Southern States' Representation After Delimitation

Amit Shah Counters Concerns Over Southern States' Representation After Delimitation

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah refuted claims that southern states will have reduced representation in the Lok Sabha after the implementation of women's reservation and delimitation of constituencies, assuring an increase in both the number of seats and percentage of power.

Sharad Pawar, Athawale among 26 elected unopposed to RS

Sharad Pawar, Athawale among 26 elected unopposed to RS

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

The Rajya Sabha elections saw several candidates elected unopposed, including Sharad Pawar and Ramdas Athawale, while Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana prepare for contested elections.

JD-U MLAs Want Nishant Kumar As Bihar CM, Not BJP Leader

JD-U MLAs Want Nishant Kumar As Bihar CM, Not BJP Leader

Rediff.com4 Apr 2026

'Nearly 80 of 85 JD-U MLAs are not in favour of a CM from the BJP.'

Kejriwal Accuses BJP Of Voter Roll Conspiracy In West Bengal

Kejriwal Accuses BJP Of Voter Roll Conspiracy In West Bengal

Rediff.com26 Apr 2026

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP of conspiring to delete 2.7 million voters from West Bengal's electoral rolls, urging support for the Trinamool Congress to protect citizenship rights.

DMK MP's 'unfit' jibe at Union minister triggers uproar in LS

DMK MP's 'unfit' jibe at Union minister triggers uproar in LS

Rediff.com6 Feb 2024

Baalu said Murugan was a "traitor" who spoke against the interests of Tamil Nadu and added he described him as "unfit", which was not an unparliamentary word.

Situation under control, energy security stable: Centre on West Asia crisis

Situation under control, energy security stable: Centre on West Asia crisis

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

There is no cause for concern, as the overall situation arising out of the crisis is firmly under control, the Centre informed while briefing political parties at the all-party meet.

Chouhan Accuses Bengal Government of Sheltering Infiltrators

Chouhan Accuses Bengal Government of Sheltering Infiltrators

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan criticised the West Bengal government over law and order and accused the TMC of sheltering infiltrators and manipulating demographics.

'Bihar May Follow Gujarat Template'

'Bihar May Follow Gujarat Template'

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

'Samrat Chaudhury's limited independent standing within the party, his reliance on the central leadership for his elevation, and his lack of a personal mass base all point toward this outcome.'

India Launches Robotic Surgery Systems for Battlefield Emergencies

India Launches Robotic Surgery Systems for Battlefield Emergencies

Rediff.com9 Apr 2026

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched indigenous robotic technologies, Project Vimana and Project Operion, designed to perform life-saving surgeries on the battlefield, potentially revolutionising emergency care for injured security personnel.

Amit Shah Promises to Drive Out Infiltrators from Bengal if BJP Forms Government

Amit Shah Promises to Drive Out Infiltrators from Bengal if BJP Forms Government

Rediff.com15 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has promised to expel infiltrators from West Bengal and secure the border if the BJP wins the upcoming assembly elections. He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of neglecting North Bengal and favouring Muslims in budget allocations.

Blaze hits Raj HPCL refinery on eve of Modi launch, inauguration deferred

Blaze hits Raj HPCL refinery on eve of Modi launch, inauguration deferred

Rediff.com20 Apr 2026

A major fire near the main unit of the newly built Rajasthan refinery of HPCL has postponed the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The fire, which broke out near the crude distillation unit, was doused in about two hours with no reported casualties.

How BJP turned TMC's structural cracks into a sweeping mandate

How BJP turned TMC's structural cracks into a sweeping mandate

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The BJP's landslide victory in West Bengal has not merely redrawn the electoral map but overturned the operating logic of politics in the state, breaching the TMC's entrenched fortress despite a decade-and-a-half of dominance, minority consolidation, and a sustained "outsider" narrative.

Modi government's first defeat: Women's bill fails in LS

Modi government's first defeat: Women's bill fails in LS

Rediff.com17 Apr 2026

A Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and increasing Lok Sabha seats was defeated in Parliament, marking a setback for the government's efforts to empower women in politics.

Amit Shah Counters Concerns Over Southern States' Representation After Delimitation

Amit Shah Counters Concerns Over Southern States' Representation After Delimitation

Rediff.com16 Apr 2026

Union Home Minister Amit Shah refuted claims that southern states will have reduced representation in the Lok Sabha after the implementation of women's reservation and delimitation of constituencies, assuring an increase in both the number of seats and percentage of power.

Why Mamata Banerjee Accuses Modi Of Women's Quota Misdirection

Why Mamata Banerjee Accuses Modi Of Women's Quota Misdirection

Rediff.com19 Apr 2026

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misleading the nation regarding the women's quota bill and plotting to push through the delimitation exercise by using women as a shield.

NDA sweeps RS polls as Nitish, Nitin enter Upper House

NDA sweeps RS polls as Nitish, Nitin enter Upper House

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

The ruling NDA alliance has secured a majority in the Rajya Sabha elections, winning key seats in Bihar, Odisha, and Haryana, while other candidates were elected unopposed across multiple states. The elections were marked by cross-voting allegations and political maneuvering.

J-K: Hero of Hill Kaka and Op Sarp Vinash veteran Tahir Fazal dies at 62

J-K: Hero of Hill Kaka and Op Sarp Vinash veteran Tahir Fazal dies at 62

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

The Army paid a solemn tribute to Fazal, who died on Thursday after a brief illness. They remembered him as a "valiant son of the soil" who stood shoulder to shoulder with troops during Operation Sarp Vinash, which successfully dismantled terrorists' operational hub in Hill Kaka.