All posts tagged: Polls

Sumul Dairy polls: 7 out of 9 seats see ‘100% polling’ | Ahmedabad News

Sumul Dairy polls: 7 out of 9 seats see ‘100% polling’ | Ahmedabad News

3 min readSuratJul 16, 2026 02:11 AM IST Elections for nine seats of the Sumul Dairy board were held peacefully on Wednesday. While the board has 16 seats for which elections are held, candidates backed by the BJP won seven of them uncontested. As many as 21 candidates were in the fray for the nine seats, for which ballot voting was held in nine talukas of Surat and Tapi districts. The results will be announced on July 17. The 16 seats have 1,003 registered voters, who are presidents of milk committees in 16 talukas in Surat and Tapi. In a BJP-led board, the Congress won three seats — from Nizar, Uchhal and Vyara — in the last elections. The polling was held from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm under strict police arrangements. The Board is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP and Pashu Palak Hit Rakshak Samithi, which comprises BJP rebel leaders and Congress leaders, for the first time. The BJP’s group is called Sahkar Panel. Sources said that on Wednesday, polling was held for Olpad, Mandvi, Mahuva, Umarpada, Nizar, Kukarmunda, Vyara, Songadh, and Dolvan seats. Except for Olpad and Umarpada, all other seats recorded 100 per cent voting. Out of the 42 voters in Olpad, only 39 were allowed to vote, as three others failed to fulfil the voting criteria. In Umarpada, which has 60 voters, one voter did not turn up at the polling station. Similarly, the seats that saw cent per cent voting are Mandvi …

Simultaneous polls will save time, resources: Satish Mahana

Simultaneous polls will save time, resources: Satish Mahana

Satish Mahana, Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly speaker, said on Tuesday that the sentiment of ‘One Nation, One Election’ has existed across the country for a long time. He further said the proposed plan would be convenient not only for political leaders but also for the general public. Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly speaker Satish Mahana. (HT file) During a meeting with the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)—currently reviewing the Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024—regarding the proposed ‘One Nation, One Election’ legislation, Mahana said, “Frequent elections impact both the public and public representatives. While everyone’s role and wishes are significant in the electoral process, the repeated cycle of election-related activities—when elections are not held simultaneously—also affects the governance system.” The committee met Mahana to seek his views and suggestions on holding simultaneous elections. “I, too, have to remain active in the electoral process within my own constituency. A representative ends up spending a significant amount of time on the election process, whereas the public expects continuous work on the development …

Punjab BJP accuses AAP of subverting the entire electoral process in urban local body polls

Punjab BJP accuses AAP of subverting the entire electoral process in urban local body polls

BJP Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon. File picture | Photo Credit: ANI Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders on Saturday (July 11, 2026) met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party government in the State of misuse of the State machinery and subverting the entire electoral process during the elections to urban local bodies. Alleging misuse of the State machinery during the recent elections to municipal corporations, municipal councils and the subsequent mayoral and council president polls, the party’s state president, Kewal Singh Dhillon, submitted a memorandum to the Governor, seeking his immediate intervention to safeguard constitutional norms and democratic institutions in the State. “The AAP had subverted the entire electoral process for political gain. The ruling party first manipulated ward delimitation to suit its interests, then intimidated opposition candidates, snatched nomination papers and attempted to prevent them from contesting the elections. Later, despite lacking a majority, the AAP government is now installing its nominees as mayors of municipal corporations and presidents of municipal councils through administrative manipulation,” he alleged, talking to media …

Panchayat polls in Karnataka likely in October or November, says state minister

Panchayat polls in Karnataka likely in October or November, says state minister

Karnataka’s Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Eshwar Khandre, said on Saturday that the gram, taluk and zilla panchayat polls in the state are likely to be held in October or November. Karnataka will conduct gram, taluk, and zila Panchayat polls in October or November, as per Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Eshwar Khandre’s statement (Representational/PTI) As soon as the delimitation process and the fixing of the reservation matrix are completed, the proposal will be submitted to the State Election Commission, he said. “Delimitation of all the constituencies and finalisation of reservation for taluk and zilla panchayats are underway. It has been discussed in the cabinet, and the chief minister and all the ministers are interested in holding gram, taluk and zilla panchayat polls,” Khandre said. Also Read I Karnataka: Schools, colleges in Hosanagar and Sagar taluks declare holiday due to heavy rain Speaking to reporters here, he said, “I want to tell the people that all gram, taluk and zilla panchayat polls will be held in October or November.” Responding to …

BJP set to sweep Bengal Rajya Sabha polls as TMC factions decide against contesting

BJP set to sweep Bengal Rajya Sabha polls as TMC factions decide against contesting

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to win all three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal in the July 24 bypolls, as both factions of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have decided not to contest, people familiar with the matter said. The Election Commission announced the bypolls on Monday. (Sansad TV/ANI) The BJP controls 208 of the state’s 294 assembly seats. Of the 80 TMC candidates who won the April elections, at least 65 have joined the rebel camp headed by Ritabrata Banerjee, whom the Speaker recognised as the leader of the opposition in June. “The question of fielding candidates for Rajya Sabha does not arise because the numbers don’t work out,” Ritabrata Banerjee said. TMC Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen, a Mamata Banerjee loyalist, alleged that Ritabrata Banerjee and the MLAs in his camp engineered the divide only to help BJP secure more seats in Parliament. “Why will they contest? They are with the BJP. They want all the perks and facilities they enjoyed while TMC was in power. All they have to do …

Bypolls to 3 Rajya Sabha seats on July 24; three assembly seats to go to polls July 30

Bypolls to 3 Rajya Sabha seats on July 24; three assembly seats to go to polls July 30

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday notified by-elections for six seats — three state assembly constituencies in Bihar, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and three Rajya Sabha seats from West Bengal — with polling for the assembly seats set for July 30 and July 24 for the Rajya Sabha seats. India News The elections for Bankipur (Bihar), Manjalpur (Gujarat), Datia (Madhya Pradesh) assembly constituencies were due since March 30, June 2 and April 2, respectively. The Bankipur constituency fell vacant after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and five-time MLA Nitin Nabin, resigned following his election to the Rajya Sabha. The Manjalpur seat fell vacant after veteran legislator Yogeshbhai Narandas Patel died at 79 following prolonged illness. A legislator since 1990 — first from Raopura, then Manjalpur — Patel won eight terms in all, and had served as the assembly’s pro-tem Speaker in 2022 and as a minister of state (MoS). The Datia seat fell vacant after MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Article 191(1)(e) …

Punjab debt crisis to 2027 polls: Why AAP govt does a U-turn over G RAM G scheme | Political Pulse News

Punjab debt crisis to 2027 polls: Why AAP govt does a U-turn over G RAM G scheme | Political Pulse News

The AAP government’s decision seems to be driven mainly by its financial troubles as it faced the prospect of losing nearly Rs 750-800 crore in central funds for this crucial scheme. Last week, the state government’s Rural Development and Panchayats Department notified the implementation of the G RAM G Act from July 1. The notification came six months after the Mann government convened a special session of the Assembly, on December 30, 2025, to reject the G Ram G Act, which was passed by Parliament a couple of weeks earlier. The AAP dispensation had staunchly opposed the Narendra Modi government’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the G Ram G Act. During its special session, the Punjab Assembly unanimously passed a resolution, urging the Centre to withdraw the G RAM G law. The AAP camp argued that the new scheme “diluted” the rights-based character of the MGNREGA, passed a greater financial burden on to states, and affected rural workers “adversely”. Chief Minister Mann described the G RAM G …

After back-to-back wins in northern states, BJP eyes South, sets agenda for Telangana polls

After back-to-back wins in northern states, BJP eyes South, sets agenda for Telangana polls

Buoyed by a string of electoral victories in Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Delhi and other states, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is now turning its attention to the South, with Telangana emerging as its next major political battleground. Setting the tone, BJP National President Nitin Nabin urged party workers to prepare for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in Telangana. Setting the tone, BJP National President Nitin Nabin urged party workers to prepare for the upcoming municipal corporation elections in the state, saying politics should be guided by service rather than the pursuit of power, according to a report by news agency ANI. He called on the cadre to work towards bringing the BJP to power in Telangana. With both Telangana and Karnataka set to vote in Assembly elections in 2028, the BJP is looking to strengthen its organisational base across the South. Also Read | South remains elusive for BJP despite big gains in other states. What data shows ‘Centre for public service’: BJP’s narrative for Telangana Addressing the inauguration of nine newly established BJP …

Third front in Himachal? Ex-BJP minister says new party likely before 2027 assembly polls

Third front in Himachal? Ex-BJP minister says new party likely before 2027 assembly polls

Efforts are afoot to create a political alternative in Himachal Pradesh that can take on the deep-seated two-party bipolarity in the state, a little over a year before assembly polls are held. Ram Lal Markanda, former BJP minister. (Facebook/Dr. Ram lal Markanda) Ram Lal Markanda, a former BJP minister who was expelled from the party in 2024, said he has been meeting leaders from various parties, including those who feel sidelined in the Congress and BJP, and that a new party may be launched in March-April next year. “We were just waiting for the panchayat poll results and now talks with senior leaders would resume,” he told PTI on Sunday. Also Read: Jana Sangh, BJP founded to protect country’s unity: Yogi Adityanath “Senior leaders and workers of both the BJP and Congress who come to power alternately are feeling sidelined and suffocated, making it necessary for a new party that ensures respect for senior leaders and welfare of the general public,” claimed Markanda, a former MLA representing the Lahaul and Spiti constituency. Markanda was expelled …

TMC rebels flex muscle again, hold second councillors’ meet ahead of civic polls

TMC rebels flex muscle again, hold second councillors’ meet ahead of civic polls

The Ritabrata Banerjee-led breakaway faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday held its second meeting with former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) councillors in a week, signalling a renewed challenge to Mamata Banerjee’s leadership ahead of the civic polls, even as party’s loyalist camp countered the move by filing police complaints alleging “forgery” and “unauthorised” use of TMC’s name and symbol. LoP in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Ritabrata Banerjee, left, addresses a press conference, in Kolkata, West Bengal, Monday, June 22, (PTI) People aware of the matter said 47 former TMC councillors attended the meeting at a private banquet hall in Topsia area of East Kolkata. The meeting, the second after a similar gathering in New Town on June 22, was aimed at “strengthening the party’s support base in the city after its assembly poll debacle. Banners at both meetings displayed TMC’s grass-and-twin-flower symbol and “All India Trinamool Congress” name, though images of Mamata remained conspicuously missing. TMC joint national secretary Dola Sen lodged complaints at the New Town and Pragati Maidan police stations, …