Politics – SD NEWS agency

Rajasthan Cabinet Allows Candidates With More Than Two Children to Contest Panchayat Elections

25Feb

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Politics, Rajasthan, State

Rajasthan Cabinet Allows Candidates With More Than Two Children to Contest Panchayat Elections

Jaipur, Rajasthan: In a significant policy shift, the Bhajanlal Sharma-led cabinet of Rajasthan has decided to allow candidates with more than two children to contest local body and panchayat elections. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday and marks a reversal of a three-decade-old restriction imposed by the previous Bhairon Singh Shekhawat government. Earlier, the Shekhawat administration had prohibited individuals with more than two children from contesting elections as part of population control measures. With the new amendment, the eligibility criteria for contesting elections have been broadened, providing more citizens the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Legal AmendmentsThe cabinet approved changes to Section 19 of the Rajasthan Pan...

IT Raids on BSP MLA Umashankar Singh’s Properties Stir Political Controversy in Uttar Pradesh

25Feb

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Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

IT Raids on BSP MLA Umashankar Singh’s Properties Stir Political Controversy in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow/Balia: The Income Tax (IT) Department conducted extensive raids on Wednesday at multiple properties belonging to BSP MLA Umashankar Singh, the sole representative of the Bahujan Samaj Party in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. The raids were carried out at his residences in Lucknow and Sonbhadra, as well as his home and office in Balia district’s Rasra constituency. The Lucknow residence, located in Gomtinagar, was raided early in the morning by over 30 IT officials. The political fallout was immediate, with opposition leaders criticizing the government, while UP Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh, whose daughter recently married Umashankar Singh’s son, expressed concern over the timing and handling of the operation. Rapid Accumulation of WealthAccording to affidavits submitted to the El...

Clash Over Malegaon Namaz Sparks Political Debate in Maharashtra

25Feb

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

Clash Over Malegaon Namaz Sparks Political Debate in Maharashtra

Mumbai: The recent incident of Muslims offering Namaz at a government office in Malegaon has stirred political tensions in Maharashtra, especially during the ongoing budget session. State Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane criticized the act, asserting that “India is a Hindu nation” and questioning the purpose of those involved. He asked, “Were these people elected for the development of Malegaon or to pursue jihad? There are plenty of mosques—why are they praying here?” Rane warned that action would be taken against such incidents. Reacting to Rane’s remarks, SP MLA Abu Asim Azmi strongly countered, stating that there are no terrorist activities in any madrassas in India. He suggested that CCTVs could be installed for verification and offered, “You can stay in a madrassa, have meal...

Rohit Pawar Demands FIR Against DGCA and VSR Airlines Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

25Feb

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

Rohit Pawar Demands FIR Against DGCA and VSR Airlines Over Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

Mumbai: Maharashtra legislator Rohit Pawar, from Sharad Pawar’s NCP faction, has taken an aggressive stand following the plane crash that claimed the life of former Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. On Wednesday, amid the Maharashtra Budget session, Rohit Pawar visited the Marine Drive police station demanding that an FIR be registered against the private charter airline VSR and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Rohit Pawar’s demand comes at a time when the DGCA has grounded four Learjet aircraft operated by VSR. He was accompanied by NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, and both reportedly engaged in a heated discussion with police over the delay in action, questioning why authorities have not proceeded despite apparent evidence surrounding Ajit Pawar’s tragic accident. The crash o...

Kerala to Be Officially Renamed ‘Keralam’; Rare Political Consensus Puts Identity at Centre Stage

25Feb

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Nation, Politics

Kerala to Be Officially Renamed ‘Keralam’; Rare Political Consensus Puts Identity at Centre Stage

New Delhi: In a rare display of political unanimity, the Union Cabinet has approved a proposal to officially rename the state of Kerala as “Keralam,” following a unanimous resolution passed earlier by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. The move has brought questions of cultural identity and linguistic authenticity to the forefront of state politics, especially in a year when Kerala is heading toward Assembly elections. The proposal received support across party lines — from the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) to the BJP and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) — making it an unusual moment of consensus in an otherwise fiercely competitive political landscape. Restoring Linguistic Authenticity Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has argued that “Keralam” is the state’s origi...

Rebel SP MLAs Dismiss ‘Homecoming’ Buzz; Say Will “Never Align with Ram Opponents”

25Feb

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Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

Rebel SP MLAs Dismiss ‘Homecoming’ Buzz; Say Will “Never Align with Ram Opponents”

Lucknow: Political speculation is once again swirling around seven rebel legislators of the Samajwadi Party (SP) who had cross-voted during the 2024 Rajya Sabha elections. Amid reports suggesting that some of them are exploring a possible return to the party, two expelled MLAs — Rakesh Pratap Singh and Abhay Singh — have categorically denied any such move. The SP had expelled Manoj Kumar Pandey, Abhay Singh, and Rakesh Pratap Singh in 2025 for voting in favor of the BJP during the Rajya Sabha polls. Four others — Rakesh Pandey, Vinod Chaturvedi, Pooja Pal, and Ashutosh Maurya — were also part of the cross-voting episode that triggered political controversy. ‘SP Should Abandon Illusions’: Rakesh Pratap Singh Rakesh Pratap Singh, MLA from Gauriganj in Amethi, rejected reports of rec...

Celebrating 60 Years of Public Service: Sharad Pawar’s Daughter and Daughter-in-Law Share Rare Old Photograph

24Feb

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Maharashtra, Politics, State

Celebrating 60 Years of Public Service: Sharad Pawar’s Daughter and Daughter-in-Law Share Rare Old Photograph

Mumbai, February 24, 2026: At the age of 85, Sharad Pawar, founder of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), continues to remain active in public life despite recent health concerns. Pawar was admitted to Ruby Hall Clinic in Pune due to dehydration. This comes shortly after he completed 60 years in parliamentary and public service. On this milestone, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Pawar’s daughter, Supriya Sule, shared a rare old photograph from his early political journey. Honouring a Six-Decade Legacy Sunetra Pawar posted the photograph on February 22, writing:"Respected Sharad Pawar Saheb completes a historic milestone of sixty years in public and parliamentary life. Starting his journey in 1967, he continues with the same energy and dedication. From the M...

IAS Sandip Sagale Appointed as New Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat

24Feb

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Gujarat, Politics, State

IAS Sandip Sagale Appointed as New Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat

Ahmedabad: Ahead of the upcoming municipal elections in Gujarat’s major cities, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed a new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for the state. The post has been entrusted to Sandip Sagale, a 2007-batch IAS officer known for his clean image and efficient administrative record. Sagale takes over from IAS Harit Shukla, a 1999-batch officer who oversaw the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Gujarat. Shukla’s tenure concluded after successfully completing this crucial exercise. Prior to his new appointment, Sagale was serving as the Director General of the Sports Authority of Gujarat. Who is Sandip Sagale? Born on 16 November 1973 in Maharashtra, Sandip Sagale hails from Akola Tehsil in Akola district. A Gujarat cadre IAS offi...

BJP Hits Back at Akhilesh Yadav Over ‘100 MLAs’ Offer, Says “Save Your Own Legislators First”

24Feb

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Politics, State, Uttar Pradesh

BJP Hits Back at Akhilesh Yadav Over ‘100 MLAs’ Offer, Says “Save Your Own Legislators First”

Lucknow: A fresh political war of words has erupted in Uttar Pradesh after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offered a provocative challenge to the ruling BJP, inviting either of the state’s Deputy Chief Ministers to bring 100 MLAs and claim the Chief Minister’s post — even if only for a week. Speaking at the party office in Lucknow, Yadav said, “We repeat our offer — bring 100 MLAs and become Chief Minister. Whoever brings 100 legislators will be made Chief Minister for one week.” The remark came while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is on an overseas visit to Japan and Singapore, adding political undertones to the timing of the statement. The comment quickly triggered sharp reactions from the BJP leadership. Keshav Maurya’s Counterattack Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad ...

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Forms Parliamentary Friendship Groups with Over 60 Nations

24Feb

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Nation, Politics

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla Forms Parliamentary Friendship Groups with Over 60 Nations

In a significant move aimed at strengthening India’s parliamentary diplomacy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday announced the formation of Parliamentary Friendship Groups (PFGs) with more than 60 countries. The initiative underscores India’s commitment to deepening institutional ties with legislatures across the world through structured and sustained engagement. The newly constituted groups include Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum — notably, several opposition leaders and even some MPs who were recently suspended from the House for disciplinary reasons. The inclusive composition signals a bipartisan approach to international parliamentary outreach. Senior Leaders Across Parties Included Prominent parliamentarians appointed to various friendship groups in...