Page 2 - Rajya Sabha Elections

RS nomination coming on Women's Day was a double surprise: Sudha Murty

The announcement of her nomination to the Rajya Sabha was a double surprise as it came on Women's Day, philanthropist and author Sudha Murty said on Friday. The former Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, the philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of Infosys, said that she has never sought the position and had "absolutely no idea" why the government chose to nominate her. "It came on Women's Day and that's a double surprise. I am very happy. I am grateful to our Prime Minister," Murty, who is currently on a visit to Thailand, told PTI over phone. On her role as a member of the Upper House, the wife of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy said, "I have to see what are the things...what I can do. This is a new area to me. So, I have to first sit and study and then I will be able to do it." She said she was pleasantly surprised by the announcement.

Sudha Murty nominated to RS, PM lauds her contribution in diverse fields

Philanthropist and author Sudha Murty was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on Friday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauding her contribution in diverse fields. Modi asserted in a post on X that her presence in the Upper House is a powerful testament to "Nari Shakti" (women power), exemplifying the strength and potential of women in shaping the nation's destiny. Wishing her a fruitful tenure, he said, "I am delighted that the President of India has nominated Sudha Murty Ji to the Rajya Sabha. Sudha Ji's contributions to diverse fields including social work, philanthropy and education have been immense and inspiring." Murty, wife of Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, is also the chairperson of the Murty Trust and has authored several books. The 73-year-old, whose nomination comes on International Women's Day, was awarded the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023.

New Rajya Sabha MPs collectively worth over Rs 4,600 crore, shows data

Figure ten times Election Commission's budget for 2023-24

RS polls: Digvijaya Singh targets BJP over political crisis in Himachal

Veteran Congress leader Digvijaya Singh apparently targeted the BJP as he alleged that the political crisis in Himachal Pradesh, which is ruled by his party, was created by those who have "taken the contract of toppling governments". Talking to reporters at Morena in Madhya Pradesh on Friday night, he also said the action against Congress rebels in Himachal would be taken at an appropriate time. Six Congress MLAs in Himachal Pradesh triggered the crisis this week when they voted for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat from the state. Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Thursday disqualified these six Congress MLAs for allegedly defying a party whip on voting for the state Budget in the assembly. When asked why the Congress was not taking action against the rebels in Himachal Pradesh, Digvijaya Singh only said, "It (action) will happen when the (suitable) time comes." On Friday, Himachal Pradesh

Best of BS Opinion: Himachal: an old tale, Japan as number four & more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Himachal: Retelling an old tale

The BJP in Himachal has its own problems. But it is not a party that sits around twiddling its thumbs

NDA 4 short of majority Rajya Sabha after polls; What it means for BJP?

The BJP-led NDA is just four short seats of majority in the Rajya Sabha, the upper House of Parliament

Clamour for CM Sukhu's resignation gains momentum post defeat in RS polls

According to sources, at least half of the Congress' 40 legislators conveyed their unhappiness with Sukhu for not heeding their concerns

Cross-voting helps BJP gain RS seats; NDA now four short of majority mark

BJP netted two extra seats from cross-voting in Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

Himachal CM Sukhu won't accept 'younger brother' Vikramaditya's resignation

Vikramaditya Singh resigned from the cabinet, alleging that CM Sukhu had "humiliated" the MLAs and disrespected his father. His resignation followed after the BJP won the Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh crisis highlights: Will keep fighting, says CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh highlights: Catch all the news highlights on the crisis surrounding Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's government here

Himachal crisis: Who are 6 Congress MLAs who voted for BJP during RS polls

BJP candidate Harsh Mahajan won the lone Rajya Sabha seat in Himachal, despite the BJP having only 25 MLAs in the hill state against Congress' 40 legislators

Pro-Pak slogan allegations: K'taka CM says serious punishment if found true

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said serious action would be taken if it's found true that a pro-Pakistan slogan was raised after the Rajya Sabha election results were declared. "It is not only an allegation by the BJP, it is also an allegation by the media," he said, referring to the charge that "Pakistan zindabad" slogan was heard after one of the Congress candidates, Syed Naseer Hussain, was declared the winner at "Vidhana Soudha" on Tuesday. "We have sent the voice report to the FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory). When the report comes, if it's true that somebody has made a slogan that 'Pakistan zindabad', such person will be punished seriously," the chief minister said. If somebody has raised such a slogan, there is no question of sparing them. "If it is true, we will take strict action, serious action," he said.

BJP to demand floor test in Himachal Pradesh amidst Rajya Sabha win

Congress faces setback in Rajya Sabha polls in Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka due to cross-voting within the party

After RS poll victory in UP, BJP says will win all 80 seats in LS elections

Buoyed by the victory of its all eight candidates in the Rajya Sabha polls in Uttar Pradesh, the BJP on Tuesday exuded confidence that it will win all the 80 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the elections due in April-May. Speaking to PTI Video, Sudhanshu Trivedi, one of the victorious candidates of the BJP, said, "It is a matter of immense happiness that all the eight candidates of the BJP have won. Definitely, this is an indication of the future. It will be 80 out of 80 (Lok Sabha seats) in UP, and 400-plus for NDA (National Democratic Alliance) nationally." To a question on some SP MLAs siding with the BJP, he said, "The SP should itself think about why such a situation has emerged." He said Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav talks about "PDA" -- "pichhda" (backward classes), Dalit and "alpsankhyak" minorities -- but fielded "FDA" candidates -- filmstar, dynast and "afsar" (bureaucrat). Another victorious candidate of the BJP, former Union minister R P N Singh, also exuded ...

Cong unable to keep its flock together, is disintegrating, says Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday that disintegration is afflicting the Congress and the opposition bloc INDIA as they are unable to keep their flock together. He made the remarks in an interview at the News9 Global Summit soon after the BJP inflicted a stunning loss on the Congress in Himachal Pradesh in the Rajya Sabha election due to cross-voting by several MLAs of the state's governing party. Shah also underlined Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's commitment to "one nation one election" and said the committee headed by former president Ram Nath Kovind will soon submit its report on the issue. The home minister is a member of the committee. Asked about the roll-out of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand and whether it will be implemented across the country, he called it a big social reform but added a comprehensive discussion should take place before its nationwide implementation. Social, judicial and constitutional scrutiny of the measure in the hilly state

NCP leader Praful Patel resigns from RS after re-election for new term

Praful Patel, a former Union Minister, after parting ways with Sharad Pawar had joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP

BJP secures Himachal's lone Rajya Sabha seat with cross-voting edge

Congress candidate Abhishek Singhvi lost to the BJP's Harsh Mahajan

Highlights of the day: Discovery ends Paramount merger talks, says reports

Latest news updates: Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

Rajya Sabha polls highlights: BJP wins 8 seats out of 10 in UP

Rajya Sabha polls latest updates: Catch all the latest news on the Rajya Sabha elections here