Kiren Rijiju

Reiterating the Congress party’s position, Tharoor pointed to its past record on women’s representation and said the party has consistently backed reservation for women. “@INCIndia has stood for women's rights and women's reservation under a strong woman President in Sonia Gandhi, initiated the Women's Reservation Bill, passed it in the Rajya Sabha during our tenure and supported it in the Lok Sabha when it was brought by GoI in 2023,” he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor shared a lighthearted exchange with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, where Rijiju conceded Tharoor couldn't be labelled anti-women. This follows the defeat of a bill proposing 33% women's reservation in legislatures, which aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats. The government's proposal faced opposition, with the Congress criticising the timing and linkage to delimitation.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju welcomed seven Rajya Sabha MPs who defected from AAP to BJP, praising their parliamentary conduct. The move significantly boosts BJP's strength in the Rajya Sabha, while AAP has petitioned for the disqualification of the defecting members.

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan criticized Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's "terrorist" remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, suggesting Kharge struggles to differentiate between concepts. This follows Kharge's controversial statement during the Tamil Nadu election campaign. A BJP delegation has urged the Election Commission to take strict action against Kharge, demanding an apology.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted a strong pro-BJP wave in West Bengal, stating the party aims to revive the state as a growth engine. He believes the Trinamool Congress has "destroyed" Bengal and only the BJP can restore it. Rijiju also defended the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, deeming it essential for voter list integrity.

Kiren Rijiju refuted claims of coercion as seven Rajya Sabha MPs switched from AAP to BJP, stating "good people" have left Arvind Kejriwal. He accused Kejriwal of running AAP as a "private party." Rijiju also criticised the INDIA bloc, alleging internal rifts and a lack of principles, while backing West Bengal's electoral roll revision ahead of polls.

The Election Commission has formally alerted Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge with a show-cause notice over his controversial labeling of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a 'terrorist.' The commission has highlighted that this statement seems to violate established campaign standards and the decorum expected during elections. Kharge is given a 24-hour window to clarify his statements, or he may face penalties.

Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday referred to PM Modi as a “terrorist” and later issued a clarification, in remarks expected to trigger political controversy during the ongoing election season. Kharge made the statement in Chennai at a press conference on the final day of campaigning for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, scheduled for Thursday. He was criticising the opposition AIADMK over its alliance with PM Modi's BJP.

The government faced a setback as the women's reservation bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, requiring a two-thirds majority. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju blamed the Congress and opposition parties, calling it an anti-women stance and a significant blow to the nation. The opposition, while supporting reservation, opposed its linkage with delimitation and census.

Delhi LoP Atishi has declared the Rajya Sabha Secretariat's acceptance of seven AAP MPs merging with the BJP as "unlawful and unconstitutional." She argued that the Constitution and anti-defection laws do not permit such mergers, warning PM Modi of historical consequences for increased "atrocities."

Around 1.25 lakh Indian Haj pilgrims face a last-minute Rs 10,000 airfare hike due to rising jet fuel costs amid Middle East instability. Airlines initially sought a larger increase, but the government capped it, shifting the burden to pilgrims despite years of careful financial planning.

Seven Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MPs have officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, bolstering the NDA's numbers in the Upper House. This move, facilitated by the anti-defection law's provision for two-thirds party mergers, sees the BJP's strength increase significantly. The party anticipates further gains by year-end, nearing a crucial two-thirds majority.

The BJP lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge for calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "terrorist." Union Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that such language is unprecedented and demanded strict action and an apology from Kharge and the Congress party.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin celebrated the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, calling it a victory for the state. He stated that Tamil Nadu fought for fairness in the delimitation process, not against it, and vowed to continue standing united against challenges to the state's rights and federal spirit.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra hailed the defeat of the Delimitation Bill as a victory for democracy, accusing the Centre of a conspiracy to alter the federal structure. The bill, which proposed women's reservation linked to delimitation, failed to secure the required majority in the Lok Sabha. Opposition parties, while supporting women's reservation in principle, opposed its linkage with delimitation and census.

Parliament is set to debate the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, aiming for 33% women's reservation in legislatures. This constitutional amendment, passed in 2023, will be implemented after delimitation based on the 2027 Census. While the government champions women's empowerment, opposition raises concerns over the delimitation process and its potential impact on state representation, creating a north-south divide.

In a heartfelt meeting, Meghalaya's Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, joined by esteemed Catholic Bishops, sat down with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju to discuss their apprehensions surrounding the proposed FCRA amendments.

For the first time since 2014, the Modi government failed to pass a bill in Parliament, a move analysts suggest was strategic. By forcing a vote on the women's reservation bill, linked to delimitation, the BJP aimed to record every MP's stance, creating a potent campaign tool. The government positioned itself as pro-women reformists, while blaming opposition parties for obstructing progress. This tactic seeks to shape the political narrative ahead of crucial elections, highlighting intent versus obstruction.