Tag: Rajya Sabha

‘I gained from my father’s legacy’

Neeraj Shekhar, Rajya Sabha member of Samajwadi Party, is quite a reflection of his irrepressible late father, former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar, when he persists with what he wants to say, and what he thinks is right. Unlike many others, he can stand up on his own, and does not wait for a group to …

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October 6, 2018

Select compulsion

Without seeking to soil our hands in the political slugfest that has erupted over the government’s decision to use the ordinance route to legislate against the abhorrent practice of ‘triple talaq’, it would be cowardly not to comment on the use of that power ~ which the President has endorsed ~ when one House of …

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September 21, 2018

‘Overcame challenges in tribal areas’

Achyut Samanta, who was recently elected to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha by the ruling Biju Janata Dal, is a first-time parliamentarian. Founder of the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) and Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), he has worked tirelessly among tribals of the state, providing them free education, accommodation, food and healthcare …

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September 15, 2018

Myopic ‘remedy’

The Vice-President’s suggestion for a consensus-based code of conduct for parliamentary functioning equates with merely trying to suppress the symptoms, not remedy the underlying malaise

September 4, 2018

A need for clarity

Amendments to the Specific Relief Act passed by the Rajya Sabha last month leave open the question of whether they are prospective or retrospective, write Amar Gupta and Ananya Kumar.

August 30, 2018

Angry Gujral speaks his mind

The BJP may be preening about its victories over the Opposition in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha in the monsoon session. But its own ally rained on its parade the other day with a sharp rebuke. Speaking at a book release function at Teen Murti auditorium last week, Akali Dal leader and …

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August 15, 2018

Pradhan gives ‘Odia’ spin to RS dy chair poll

Evidently conscious of the discomfiture amongst party cadres over PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah telephoning Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for support in the election to the deputy chairman Rajya Sabha. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan gave a spin to the issue by wondering why a ‘Odia’ was not in the race. Implicitly referring to speculations a …

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August 13, 2018

NDA emerges stronger, wins parliamentary battles

The BJP-led NDA emerged stronger from Parliament’s monsoon session as it first defeated the Opposition’s no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha, and then ensured victory of its candidate for Rajya Sabha’s Deputy Chairmanship with good floor management and convincing margins. The no-confidence motion in the first week and the Rajya Sabha election in the fourth …

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August 13, 2018

A triumph for Modi and BJP

The Rajya Sabha Deputy chairman elections this week made some quick political points. What should have been an easy win for the opposition with numbers on its side has not happened because of its complacency while the BJP led NDA sailed through despite all odds. The NDA nominee, Harivansh of the JD (U) won 125 …

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August 12, 2018

‘Women not lagging in any way’

Kahkashan Perween is one of the six Vice-Chairpersons of the Rajya Sabha who assist Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu in the conduct of House proceedings. Educated at Ranchi Women’s College, Kahkashan became Mayor of Bhagalpur when she was just 23 and held the office from 2002 to 2007. She had shifted to Bhagalpur after her marriage. …

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August 11, 2018

Needless ‘needle’

If there was an iota of sincerity to the many laudatory observations in the addresses welcoming the new Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, both the NDA and the Opposition have combined to cast an ugly shadow over journalist-turned-politician Harivansh (we respect his desire not to use a caste-identifying surname) by converting his election into …

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August 11, 2018

Sonia leads Congress protests against Rafale deal

Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, former Defence Minister A.K. Antony, Ambika Soni and senior party lawmakers participated in the protest.

August 10, 2018

National Sports University Bill gets Parliament’s nod

The National Sports University Bill, 2018, was on Thursday passed by Parliament, after a nod from the Rajya Sabha. The bill, passed by the Lok Sabha last week, seeks to establish a National Sports University in Manipur to promote education in sports sciences, technology, management, and coaching. Replying to a debate, Union Minister for Youth …

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August 10, 2018

BJD has been unmasked before public, says Congress

Two big corporates mediated alleges Jena, BJD-BJP mock fight exposed - OPCC chief.

August 10, 2018

Fraudsters flee

The opposition parties are up in arms over the growing menace of crony-capitalism (suit-boot-ki-sarkar), and the ruling dispensation is offering an equally cavalier defence of the industrialists. While both perceptions are partially true, they also betray the grim realities, complexities and complicities that muddy the intricate reality and relegate the essential discourse only to political …

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August 10, 2018

Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha adjourned for day after paying obituary to Karunanidhi

RS Chairman Naidu, reading out an obituary reference, described Karunanidhi as a multifaceted personality and a gritty figure who overcame difficulties.

August 8, 2018

B K Hariprasad of Congress likely Opposition nominee for RS deputy chairman post

Several opposition parties, who have joined hands against the BJP, decided to field a joint candidate to take on NDA nominee Harivansh Narayan Singh.

August 8, 2018