Politics Archives - National Times

03 Dec

Delhi MCD Bypolls: BJP Dominates with 7 Wins, AAP Claims 3, Congress Enters Fray

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingDelhi MCD

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strengthened its position in Delhi’s civic politics by winning 7 out of 12 seats in the recent MCD by-elections, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) secured 3 seats and Congress recorded its first victory in the polls. The All India Forward Bloc also won a seat, highlighting the multi-party contest. High-stakes contest under tight security Counting for the bypolls began at 8 am at 10 counting centres across Delhi, with paramilitary forces and police personnel deployed to ensure smooth proceedings. The elections were seen as a key indicator of voter…

03 Dec

AAP rolls out first list of 961 nominees for Punjab rural body polls as parties gear up for high-stakes contest

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday released its first list of 961 candidates for Punjab’s upcoming Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, marking the beginning of an intense political push ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls. Rural elections set to test party strength Voting for 22 Zila Parishads—except Mohali, where polling has been deferred—and more than 150 Panchayat Samitis is scheduled for December 14, with the results due on December 17. Coming just over a year before the next state election, the rural polls are widely seen as a critical indicator of public mood. Political parties, aware…

03 Dec

Early trends in Delhi MCD bypolls show BJP ahead, AAP and Congress notch first wins

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingDelhi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The counting of votes for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) by-elections began with a strong start for the Bharatiya Janata Party, which swiftly captured two prominent wards—Shalimar Bagh B and Chandni Chowk—setting the tone for a closely watched electoral battle. Strong show by BJP in key wards In Shalimar Bagh B, a ward with significant political weight and previously represented by Mayor Rekha Gupta during her councillor tenure, the BJP secured a one-sided victory. Party nominee Anita Jain registered a lead of more than 10,000 votes, underscoring the party’s entrenched support in the constituency. The…

01 Dec

Winter Session opens with PM Modi’s tribute to new RS Chairman; warns Opposition against turning House into ‘theatre’

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingNarendra Modi, Parliament, Winter Session

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): Parliament’s Winter Session commenced on Monday with Prime Minister Narendra Modi using the first day to both congratulate newly appointed Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan and deliver a pointed message to Opposition parties about their conduct inside the House. Speaking in the Upper House, the Prime Minister said Radhakrishnan’s elevation brought “a sense of pride” to the institution, noting that his background in grassroots social work and his years spent engaging with remote communities would enrich parliamentary functioning. Modi recounted the Chairman’s travels through some of Jharkhand’s least-accessible tribal areas, praising his “service-first approach” and his…

01 Dec

Opposition gears up for confrontational Parliament session, to push debates on SIR lapses, BLO fatalities and Delhi smog crisis

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingParliament

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): As Parliament readies to open its latest session on Monday, signs already point toward a volatile week ahead, with Opposition parties preparing to challenge the government on multiple fronts — from alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls to the deteriorating air quality choking the national capital. The Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have submitted fresh adjournment notices, demanding that the House set aside routine business to take up what they describe as urgent matters of public interest. Central to their protest is the reported distress among Booth Level Officers (BLOs) deployed…

30 Nov

FIR Filed Against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi as National Herald Inquiry Deepens

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndia, Politics, TrendingNational Herald, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The National Herald investigation took a new turn this week as Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing lodged a formal FIR naming Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi among several accused, following a complaint referred by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The case concerns financial dealings linked to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) and its takeover by Young Indian, a company in which both Gandhis are key stakeholders. Sources confirmed that the FIR, filed on October 3, invokes charges of cheating, criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation under the Indian Penal Code. Apart from the Gandhis, the…

28 Nov

Punjab to Hold Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti Polls on December 14; Model Code Takes Effect

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): After months of postponements, Punjab has finally set December 14 as the date for elections to Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis, clearing the way for rural local bodies to be reconstituted. Votes will be counted on December 17, according to the schedule issued on Thursday by State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhari. The announcement triggered the immediate enforcement of the model code of conduct across the state. The polls—spanning 23 Zila Parishads and 154 Panchayat Samitis—will involve nearly 1.36 crore eligible voters. Officials said more than 19,000 polling stations will be established, with 915 classified as “hyper-sensitive”…

26 Nov

Punjab Vidhan Sabha to Host Student Mock Session on Constitution Day

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingPunjab Vidhan Sabha

Sri Anandpur Sahib (Gurpreet Singh): Students from across Punjab will step into the roles of lawmakers and ministers today in a unique mock session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The initiative, led by Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, aims to give young learners hands-on experience in democratic processes. Harkamaldeep Singh will enact the role of Chief Minister, while other participants will take on key positions such as Speaker, Ministers, MLAs, and Opposition members. The exercise is designed to familiarize students with legislative procedures and the functioning of government, combining practical learning with civic education. This year, the mock session…

26 Nov

Massive Security Blanket in Chandigarh as Farmers’ Assembly, PU Students’ Protest Set to Converge

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, TrendingChandigarh

Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The city witnessed an unprecedented security buildup on Wednesday with the UT police mobilising nearly 3,000 personnel ahead of two major demonstrations scheduled to take place simultaneously — a large gathering by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and a bandh called by Panjab University students demanding the issuance of the Senate election notification. Anticipating heavy turnout and significant pressure on traffic, the administration cordoned off several high-movement corridors and announced detours across key routes. Police teams were instructed to take positions from early morning to manage the expected inflow of vehicles, particularly from Mohali. The SKM event,…

20 Nov

Harmeet Singh Sandhu Takes Oath as Tarn Taran MLA, Vows to Boost Development

Gurpreet Singh0 CommentsPolitics, Punjab, TrendingHarmeet Singh Sandhu, Tarn Taran

Tarn Taran (Gurpreet Singh): Harmeet Singh Sandhu was sworn in as the MLA for Tarn Taran on Thursday, with Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan administering the oath of office. A veteran politician, Sandhu joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) earlier this year after resigning from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He has previously served three terms as MLA — first as an independent from 2002–07, and later representing SAD from 2007–12 and 2012–17. The recent bypoll, necessitated by the demise of sitting MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal, saw Sandhu emerge victorious with a margin of over 12,000 votes against…