All Salman Khan fans received a surprise today on Monday, when the actor announced that he has re-titled his next film. Originally marketed as Battle of Galwan, the film’s title has now been changed to Maatrubhumi (Motherland): May War Rest In Peace.
Salman Khan stars in Apoorva Lakhia’s Maatrubhumi
Talking exclusively to HT City on why the sudden decision, the film’s director Apoorva Lakhia says that this hasn’t happened out of the blue. “Changing the title may feel sudden to SK sir’s fans, but it was never an overnight decision. From the start, we had registered two titles- Battle of Galwan and Maatrubhumi. As we went through the journey of making our film, we realised it was never just about a battle. At its heart, the film is about humanity, empathy, and the silent battles our soldiers fight.”
The film, co starring Chitrangda Singh, is based on the 2020 conflict between India and China. It had courted controversy earlier this month, when state-backed media in China, after the film’s teaser release, had claimed that it “distorts facts”, fueling anti-China sentiment.
Apoorva further tells us, “Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace captures that emotion and sacrifice far more truthfully. It reflects the soul of the story — preserving humanity even in the face of conflict. There’s also a song in the film by the same name, and the love it has received from audiences made the title feel even more right.”
Veteran actor Asha Parekh, celebrated for iconic films such as ‘Kati Patang’, ‘Caravan’, ‘Chirag’, ‘Teesri Manzil’ and ‘Love In Tokyo’, has had a remarkable career spanning decades. The actress has admitted that Nasir Hussain whose death anniversary was on March 13, was the only man she loved. Despite never marrying, the legendary star has often said she has no regrets about remaining single and has spoken candidly about why marriage never worked out for her.In an earlier interview with Verve magazine, Parekh shared her thoughts on relationships and the realities of married life. She said, “Marriage is not all rainbows and butterflies; you have to give in to your partner’s whims every now and then, and that’s a two-way street.”
Bollywood’s Golden Girls Reunite: Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman & Helen Share Heartfelt Dinner
When asked whether she ever felt regret about not tying the knot, especially since many people fear loneliness in old age, she made it clear that the thought never troubled her. “Not at all. I saw the kind of people that were out there. When I went out with the boys that my mother set me up with, I was completely put off by the whole premise of marriage. They were so fussy! They’d take longer to get ready than I did and would keep preening in the mirror. The narcissism was repulsive. I know it seems silly but these little things really nettled me. There was also the case of my heroes Rajesh Khanna and Vinod Khanna getting an earful from their girlfriends during outstation shoots because they were gallivanting and making merry at night instead of being in bed. I would’ve never been able to take someone dictating terms to me — I was just not cut out for it.”Parekh also recalled a time when she almost got married. Speaking about the incident, she revealed how an unexpected moment changed everything. “I did come very close to tying the knot once with a professor from the US. I was visiting him and we were in a cafe at 2 a.m., when he turned to me and nonchalantly said, ‘I have a girlfriend and you’ve come in the way’. It completely caught me off guard. In a way, that was the final straw for me in this whole wedding business. My friend was travelling with me at the time and when I told her that we were returning to India that very instant, she asked me how I wasn’t gutted that I was cutting ties so unceremoniously with the man I was supposed to be marrying.”The actress had once admitted that Nasir Hussain was the only man she loved. “Yes, Nasir Saab was the only man I ever loved. It is not respectful to those whom we love if we don’t acknowledge their presence to the world,” she had said. The actor has also openly spoken about her feelings for filmmaker Nasir Hussain in the past. However, she explained why marriage was never an option. In her autobiography, Parekh wrote, “I was never a home breaker. There was never any ill will between me and Nasir Saab’s family. In fact, I was so happy to see Nusrat (Hussain’s daughter) and Imran Khan (grandson) at my book launch. I feel I’ve lived my life decently and without hurting anyone.”
Captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz understands Bangladesh need to do well in ODIs going forward to be able to qualify automatically for the World Cup next year. The Bangla Tigers have made a good start, keeping that in mind. On Sunday, they beat Pakistan in the third ODI to take the series 2-1 to bolster their chances.
It was a tough assignment but Bangladesh gave a good account of themselves. (AFP)
Bangladesh went into the series as the 10th-ranked team in the world, and not many gave them a chance to beat the fourth-ranked Pakistan, but the home team took advantage of their conditions to condemn the visitors to a series loss. Of course, they also played well.
As things stand, the top 8 teams automatically qualify for the World Cup. The deadline is March 31 next year. The fact that Zimbabwe, at present No.11, are the co-hosts, along with South Africa, has made things trickier for Bangladesh to that end. Zimbabwe will play in the tournament anyway on the basis of their hosting privilege.
Hasan Miraz said that’s why they didn’t rotate their fast bowlers because considering their position in the ranking at present, he didn’t want to take any chances.
“We went into the match with our best bowling options. Mustafiz, Taskin and Rana have been bowling really well. Taskin gave us turning points in the match with his wickets. Otherwise, we would have lost the match. We had planned to give players full opportunities, as we believe it gives us a better chance to win matches.
“We have to keep our ranking points in mind. It is most important for us in the coming days. It will help us in automatic qualification for the World Cup in 2027. We are focused on winning matches and winning series.”
Bangladeshi pacers deliver!
Nahid Rana, Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman featured in all three games and played a crucial role in Bangladesh’s win. They all combined for 19 wickets, with Player-of-the-Series Rana taking a fifer in the opening game which Bangladesh comfortably won. Then in the last game, Taskin Ahmed took wickets at crucial times to push the visitors into the abyss of defeat.
“Taskin is among our most experienced cricketers. He is a really hard-working cricketer who uses his experience. Taskin knows what to bowl in each situation. He knows how to motivate himself. Mustafiz never panicked despite getting hit for two sixes. He kept coming back. I think we have to give value to such experienced cricketers.
“I think Nahid Rana bowled very well, especially if you consider that he was making a comeback into the side,” Hasan Miraz said.
Bangladesh should overtake 9th-placed West Indies in the ranking when the ICC releases it later this week.
Are you planning to upgrade your living room with a giant screen? If you are, then the 75-inch TV is an easy way to turn your boring TV watching experience into a home theater experience. These TVs not only come with huge screens, but they also come with advanced display technologies like 4K Ultra HD screens and live color and advanced audio technologies like Dolby Atmos and surround sound, which together provide a great home theater experience in the comfort of your living room.
Best 75-inch TV in India for a great home theater experience (Amazon)
Apart from these, top brands in the market like Samsung, Sony and TCL offer an attractive design that easily blends into the aesthetics of modern homes. So, here are the best 75-inch TVs you can buy in India right now:
This 75-inch smart TV from Sony is a part of its famous BRAVIA 3 series and offers buyers a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. It runs the Google TV operating system, giving users easy access to apps like YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, and Disney+ Hotstar. Its remote has dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and Sony Liv. For audio, it has bass reflected speakers and Dolby Atmos.
Specifications
Display
4K Ultra HD LED screen with Dolby Vision
sound
20W sound with Dolby Atmos
processor
Sony X1 4K HDR processor
smart features
Google TV, built-in Chromecast, Apple AirPlay support
connectivity
4 HDMI Ports, 2 USB Ports, Bluetooth
reason to buy
clear picture quality
clear sound
value for money
reason to avoid
efficiency
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers appreciate its clear visuals and sound experience.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV for its advanced sound and image quality.
The resolution of this 75 inch smart TV from TCL is 3840 x 2160 pixels and the screen refresh rate is 144Hz. It runs on Google’s Android TV operating system, which gives users easy access to apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Hotstar and Zee5. Its processor comes with built-in AI features that improve the contrast, color, and clarity of scenes.
Specifications
Display
4K QD Mini LED Screen with HDR10
sound
40W speaker output sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual-X
connectivity
HDMI 2.1 port, USB port, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth
reason to buy
picture quality
color contrast
value for money
reason to avoid
ease of installation
Display
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers love its sound and image quality. However, its performance has received mixed reviews.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV because of its visuals and value for money.
This 75-inch TV is a part of Sony’s BRAVIA 2 series of smart TVs and features a slim design, which is great for modern living room aesthetics. It runs on Google’s Android TV operating system, giving users easy access to multiple OTT platforms like Prime Video, Netflix, and Hotstar. It comes with special features that let users connect this TV to their PlayStation 5 gaming console. Additionally, it comes with a voice controlled remote.
Specifications
Display
4K LED display with HDR10, Live Color, 4K X-Reality PRO
sound
20W output with Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround and DTS:X
connectivity
4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports
reason to buy
good picture quality
Easy to use interface
good sound quality
reason to avoid
144Hz screen refresh rate is missing for gamers
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers love its sound, image quality, and ease of use.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV for its sharp visuals.
This 75-inch TV Samsung Smart TV has a sleek design, which is perfect for modern homes. It comes with a 4K upscaling feature that ensures that users get 4K resolution even if the streaming image quality is slightly lower. Additionally, it features support for Samsung’s SmartThings ecosystem, which lets users connect their TV to other Samsung devices.
Specifications
Display
4K Ultra HD display with HDR10+, 4K upscaling, film mode
sound
Adaptive sound, 20 watts output with object tracking sound
processor
Crystal Processor 4K
connectivity
4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 5
reason to buy
clear view
good sound quality
reason to avoid
average performance
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers love its sleek aesthetics and sound. However, some people have reported problems with its display performance.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV for its slim design and immersive audio experience.
This TV from Toshiba is value for money in its segment and it supports platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Disney + Hotstar, SonyLIV, Hungama, JioCinema, Zee5 and Eros Now. It comes with a separate gaming mode and its voice controlled remote has dedicated buttons for Apple TV+, YouTube, Prime Video and Netflix among others.
Specifications
Display
4K Ultra HD QLED display with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10
sound
36W output with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, audio equalizer
connectivity
3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, 1 Ethernet port
reason to buy
excellent build quality
good picture quality
value for money
reason to avoid
average performance
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers like its value for money proposition and good image quality.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV for its good picture quality.
This 75-inch smart TV comes with a frame-less design. It features a 4K screen with a peak brightness of 1,400 nits, providing a comfortable viewing experience even during bright ambient light or sunlight. It offers a variable screen refresh rate, which means that during regular use it sees a screen refresh rate of 120Hz, while during gaming it can go up to 144Hz.
Specifications
Display
4K Ultra HD QLED + Mini LED display with 1,400 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision
sound
60 watts speaker output with Dolby Atmos, Dolby MS12_Z
processor
Dual processor core with two Cortex-A75x2 and two A55 processors
connectivity
3 HDMI 2.1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one USB 3.0 port, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, one Ethernet port
reason to buy
decent image quality
value for money
reason to avoid
average performance
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers like its value for money proposition. However, some people have expressed concerns about its picture quality.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV for the sound and display technology.
This 75-inch smart TV comes with an integrated soundbar, which provides better audio output. It features support for Apple AirPlay and Home Kit, as well as dedicated Cinema and Cricket modes. Additionally, buyers get easy access to apps like Netflix, Prime Video, JioCinema, Spotify, and Sony LIV.
Specifications
Display
4K QLED display with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG
sound
88 Watt Speaker Output with Dolby Atmos
processor
15GHz VuOn processor
connectivity
3 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, one USB 3.0 port, Bluetooth 5.3, dual-band Wi-Fi
reason to buy
good picture quality
good sound quality
good performance
reason to avoid
software lag
What are buyers saying on Amazon?
Buyers love its image quality. However, some people have expressed concern over its sound quality.
Why choose this product?
Buyers should choose this TV for picture quality.
Top 3 Features of the Best 75-inch TV
Name
Display
sound
os
Sony Bravia 3 Series 189 cm (75 inches) 4K Ultra HD AI Smart LED Google TV
4K Ultra HD LED screen with Dolby Vision
20W speaker output with Dolby Atmos
google tv
TCL 189 cm (75 inches) 4K UHD Smart QD-Mini LED Google TV
4K QD Mini LED Screen with HDR10
40W speaker output sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual-X
google tv
Sony 189 cm (75 inches) Bravia 2M2 Series 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Google TV
4K LED display with HDR10, Live Color, 4K X-Reality PRO
20W output with Dolby Atmos, DTS Digital Surround and DTS:X
google tv
Samsung 189 cm (75 inches) Crystal 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV
4K Ultra HD display with HDR10+, 4K upscaling, film mode
Adaptive sound, 20 watts output with object tracking sound
Tizen
Toshiba 189 cm (75 inches) 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED TV
4K Ultra HD QLED display with HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10
36W output with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, audio equalizer
goodbye you
Acer 189 cm (75 inches) M Series 4K Ultra HD Smart QLED Mini LED Google TV
4K Ultra HD QLED + Mini LED display with 1,400 nits peak brightness, Dolby Vision
60 watts speaker output with Dolby Atmos, Dolby MS12_Z
google tv
Vu 189cm (75 inches) Vibe Series 4K QLED Smart Google TV
4K QLED display with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG
88 Watt Speaker Output with Dolby Atmos
google tv
Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay updated with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a share of the revenue when you make a purchase. We will not be liable for any claims under applicable laws including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 in relation to the Products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.
Nora Fatehi is set to appear in another dance number in an upcoming ‘pan-India’ film, KD. The dancer shares screen space with Sanjay Dutt in Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke, the Hindi song from the Kannada pan-India film, and the video was released on Sunday. And even as a small section of fans praised Nora’s dance moves, the internet was, by and large, appalled by the song’s blunt lyrics, downright vulgar double entendre, and extremely suggestive dance moves.
Nora Fatehi in a still from the song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke.
KD song Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke out
Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke is set in a dance bar, with Nora dancing alongside dozens of backup dancers. The promo of the song, released late last week, showed Nora, dressed in a ‘leave-nothing-to-imagination’ ghaghra choli, dancing as a hundred ruffians crowded her. The hookstep, which was talked about when the promo dropped, showed her dropping her pallu suggestively before picking it up repeatedly.
The internet is aghast
However, on Sunday, as the lyrical video of the full song was released, the focus shifted from the steps to the words. The song’s opening verse is a double entendre describing sex in rather graphic detail. As the first stanza progresses, it is revealed that the description is for a drink and bottle (most likely alcohol) and not genitalia, as the previous verses had suggested. The song has been sung by Mangli, with lyrics by Raqeeb Alam, and music by Arjun Janya.
The reactions to the song are largely negative. One comment on the song’s lyrical video on YouTube read: “Ashleelta (vulgarity) on the top.” Another person wrote, “The lyrics are so cheap and vulgar.” There was criticism of the dance steps, too. “Wtf is this? It’s 2026, still this kind of song and action,” exclaimed one. Many others demanded a ban on the song in the comments.
Sanjay Dutt also features in the music video alongside Nora and is prominently placed on the song’s social media thumbnail. One fan lamented, “Didn’t expect from Sanjay Dutt after Dhurandhar.” KD, the film of which Sarke Chunar Teri Sarke is a part, is directed by Prems. The director also copped a lot of criticism. “We, Kannada Cinema Industry, disown this showman, Prems. Please accept our apology,” quipped one. Another wrote, “Prems proved that even Bhojpuri songs are classy than this.”
All about KD
KD: The Devil is an upcoming 2026 Kannada-language action crime film directed by Prem and starring Dhruva Sarja, Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, and Reeshma Nanaiah. Set in the 1970s, it follows a petty criminal named Kaali involved in the underworld. The film is set to release in theatres on April 30.
India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav, right, and Ishan Kishan. (AP Photo)
NEW DELHI: India’s T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav has revealed that one of the biggest selection calls of the tournament — choosing Ishan Kishan over Jitesh Sharma — was largely driven by instinct rather than pure numbers. The skipper admitted the decision was tough but insisted his gut feeling told him Kishan could be the “X-factor” India needed on the big stage.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Suryakumar said the call was a delicate balance between data and intuition. “It was completely on gut, little bit on data. It was very harsh on Jitesh Sharma at that time because he was playing with the team for over a year. Had he not been playing, then the story would have been different,” he said in a podcast interview with PTI Videos.
Rahul Dravid on Indian Cricket’s rise: Robust infra, passionate fans, talent coming from small towns
The captain revealed that the turning point came during a direct conversation with Kishan. “I called him and asked, ‘Chhotu, World Cup jitayega?’ He asked, ‘Bharosa karogey?’ I said, ‘Chal kiya.’ And the way he played was amazing,” Suryakumar recalled. “I always knew he could be the X-factor because he has no baggage.”Kishan justified that faith in style during the tournament, scoring 317 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 190 while opening the innings and batting at No. 3. His tally was the fourth-highest in the competition as India lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the second consecutive time, following their triumph under Rohit Sharma in 2024.Suryakumar also highlighted Kishan’s determination to fight his way back into the national setup after a difficult phase. “He was going through a bad patch and had been out of the team for a while. But he travelled across India playing practice matches and smaller games just to stay ready,” he said.Another tactical call that proved decisive was the inclusion of Sanju Samson at the top of the order. According to Suryakumar, Samson’s arrival changed the momentum of India’s campaign. “After Sanju got included, the tide completely changed. It was also tactical because we had too many left-handers at the top and opposition off-spinners were finding it easy.”Samson responded with match-winning performances, including scores of 89 in both the semifinal and final, eventually earning the Player of the Tournament award.Reflecting on his own approach, Suryakumar described T20 batting as largely instinctive. “It’s a reaction-driven sport. Around 70 to 75 per cent of batting is reaction and the rest is instinct. On a given day, you just assess what the situation demands and bat accordingly,” he said.
In early February, India and the US announced a trade deal framework under which the US cut tariffs on Indian exports to 18%. (AI image)
India-US trade deal update: Amidst ongoing uncertainty related to tariffs under the Donald Trump administration, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has shared an update on the India-US trade deal. The official has said that the India-US trade agreement will be signed once Washington restores its global tariff rates.The comments assume significance at a time when the US Supreme Court has struck down the tariffs that were imposed by the Trump administration, calling them illegal. This puts focus on the various trade deals that the Trump administration has finalised. Soon after the court verdict, a flat 10% tariff was imposed by the US government on its trading partners, which may be raised to 15% in the coming days.
India-US trade deal: What’s the latest update?
According to a Reuters report, trade secretary Rajesh Agrawal has noted that the US is currently working on rebuilding the global tariff framework. He made it clear that the India-US trade deal will be signed when the US re-establishes global tariff rates.“Actual signing of India-US trade deal will be done when the new architecture of tariffs is in place. We are talking right now on details with the US,” Rajesh Agrawal said according to PTI.In early February, India and the US announced a trade deal framework under which the US cut tariffs on Indian exports to 18%. The Trump administration also removed the 25% levy with regards to Russian oil purchases contingent on India stopping procurement from Russia. However, India has not stopped buying Russian crude yet, and has in fact stepped up purchases after the Middle East conflict choked supplies from the Strait of Hormuz. The US has claimed granting a 30-day waiver to India for buying Russian crude, while India has said that it does not need permission to decide its energy security strategy.Meanwhile, the government on Friday dismissed reports suggesting that it was pausing bilateral engagement or delaying a trade agreement with the United States, stating that discussions between the two countries are continuing toward a mutually beneficial pact.“We have noted a media report regarding ongoing trade talks with the US. It is denied that there is any hold off in bilateral engagement. It is reiterated that the two sides remain engaged for a mutually beneficial trade agreement,” the commerce ministry said in a statement.
Suryakumar Yadav, the captain of India`s T20 World Cup-winning team, believes that the nation`s talent pool in the shortest format has expanded to the point where it could easily field two or even three international-calibre teams simultaneously, highlighting the depth produced by a flourishing domestic structure and franchise ecosystem.
According to Suryakumar Yadav, India`s dominance in T20 cricket has been strengthened by a steady stream of players emerging from domestic competitions and the Indian Premier League.
The Indian team has won 42 of the 52 games since Suryakumar took over as captain in 2024, immediately after Rohit Sharma resigned after the World Cup victory in Barbados.
Suryakumar referred to the current side as “the best T20 team India has produced” in a podcast interview with PTI Videos, adding that India`s depth in T20 cricket is now too obvious to be minimised.
“If you talk about talent, I feel you can find talent regularly. There is IPL cricket, franchise cricket, and then there is domestic cricket. You can see how many players come every year. So you can make as many teams as you want in T20 when I am talking about T20,” Suryakumar said.
“So I feel talent is unlimited. If you can make two-three playing XIs, our base is so strong for the Indian team. So this is not a modest and diplomatic reply. But now it is so strong, so there is no shame in telling the truth,” he added.
Suryakumar opens up about his strong relationship with Coach Gautam Gambhir
Suryakumar Yadav highlighted his close working connection with coach Gautam Gambhir, saying that the two were in sync the moment he was chosen as the T20 skipper and Gambhir was given the Indian coaching job.
“Out of 15 names we both suggested, 14 were common. That means the thinking was the same. When the goals are clear, there are no arguments, only discussions.” Suryakumar Yadav said.
Despite their professional success, Suryakumar said their personal dynamic remains unchanged. The duo worked together closely in the Kolkata Knight Riders before reuniting with the national team.
“I still call him `Gauti bhai`. It is like a younger brother and elder brother relationship,” he said.
Rajya Sabha Elections LIVE: Voting to take place from 10 am, counting of votes at 5 pm. (Sansad TV)
Rajya Sabha elections 2026 LIVE updates: A tota of 176 MLAs from NDA had voted in the Rajya Sabha elections so far while 37 from Mahagathbandhan had voted in the polls, which began at 9 am today. The counting will be taking place after the conclusion of the voting, at 5 pm.
The term of 37 members who were elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will conclude in the month of April, vacating the seats for new members to be elected.
Out of these, 26 candidates have already secured victory unopposed. Voting will now take place for the remaining 11 seats, including five from Bihar, four from Odisha, and two from Haryana.
Of the 26, BJP secured seven, Congress five, the Trinamool Congress four, the DMK three, and Shiv Sena, RPI(A), NCP, NCP(SP), AIADMK, PMK, and UPPL one each. Notable names among the winners include Sharad Pawar, Abhishek Singhvi, Tiruchi Siva, and Vinod Tawade.
Focus on Nitish Kumar
All eyes will be on Bihar chief inister Nitish Kumar, who earlier, announced that he would be heading to the Upper House and filed his nomination for the same also in presence of Amit Shah, India’s home minister.
Nitin promised Bihar people that his relationship with them will not end post him quitting the CM position. He wrote on his X account, “I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time. I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance.”
In this election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is aiming to further strengthen its position in the Rajya Sabha. The NDA, which governs six of the 10 states going to the polls, currently holds 134 seats in the 234-member House and is expected to increase its tally.
The opposition INDIA bloc, which is in power in four of the states voting today, currently has 80 members in the Upper House.
…Read More
The term of 37 members who were elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will conclude in the month of April, vacating the seats for new members to be elected.
Out of these, 26 candidates have already secured victory unopposed. Voting will now take place for the remaining 11 seats, including five from Bihar, four from Odisha, and two from Haryana.
Of the 26, BJP secured seven, Congress five, the Trinamool Congress four, the DMK three, and Shiv Sena, RPI(A), NCP, NCP(SP), AIADMK, PMK, and UPPL one each. Notable names among the winners include Sharad Pawar, Abhishek Singhvi, Tiruchi Siva, and Vinod Tawade.
Focus on Nitish Kumar
All eyes will be on Bihar chief inister Nitish Kumar, who earlier, announced that he would be heading to the Upper House and filed his nomination for the same also in presence of Amit Shah, India’s home minister.
Nitin promised Bihar people that his relationship with them will not end post him quitting the CM position. He wrote on his X account, “I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time. I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance.”
In this election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is aiming to further strengthen its position in the Rajya Sabha. The NDA, which governs six of the 10 states going to the polls, currently holds 134 seats in the 234-member House and is expected to increase its tally.
The opposition INDIA bloc, which is in power in four of the states voting today, currently has 80 members in the Upper House.
As the voting is underway in Rajya Sabha to fill spots in 37 seats across 10 states, Bihar JDU President Umesh Singh Kushwaha said that NDA is waiting to formally announce victory. “NDA only has to formally declare victory. 101% our victory is certain. No matter what tactics the opposition resorts to, voting is happening in favour of the NDA. All five seats will be in favour of the NDA,” he said.
He added, “Detaining legislators is an insult to democracy. Some legislators have been freed and are not in captivity, so we salute their courage.”
Mar 16, 2026 1:05:29 PM IST
Rajya Sabha LIVE Updates: Polling underway on 4 Odisha seats
Polling is taking place on 4 Rajya Sabha seats in Odisha. Not to forget, quite a drama took place before the polls, particularly in Odisha seats as BJD and Congress accused BJP of engaging in ‘horse trading’.
Two candidates of the BJP are its state unit president Manmohan Samal, and sitting Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar. Former Union minister Dilip Ray is also contesting as an Independent and has the support of the saffron party.
The BJD nominees are party leader Santrupt Misra and eminent urologist Dr Datteswar Hota, whom the Congress and the CPI(M) are supporting.
Mar 16, 2026 12:36:01 PM IST
Rajya Sabha elections 2026 LIVE: Trinamool Congress stages a walk out
Trinamool Congress walked out of Rajya Sabha, on the day of voting to fill 37 seats across 10 states in the upper house. This act was in protest to the decision taken by Election Commission to remove the chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty, just hours after state election dates were announced.
Mar 16, 2026 12:18:55 PM IST
Rajya Sabha Polls 2026 LIVE: JDU-BJP alliance will work wonders, says Bihar minister
Bihar minister Mohammad Zama Khan believes the JDU-BJP alliance will win the Rajya Sabha elections. He said, “I want to thank all the people of Bihar for their blessings, due to which we are going to win the Rajya Sabha elections.”
He added, “Many people are with us who like development, who like the way our government works. I will definitely say that many companions are in touch with us because they want development.”
Mar 16, 2026 12:05:46 PM IST
Rajya Sabha elections LIVE Updates: Maithili Thakur reaches parliament to cast vote
Singer and BJP MLA Maithili Thakur reached the parliament to cast her vote.
Meanwhile, JDU national working President Sanjay Kumar Jha said that all NDA candidates from Bihar will secure victory in the upper house elections.
“NDA will win all five seats with a big margin. Four seats are confirmed. We will also win the fifth seat,” he said. Bihar minister Mangal Pandey also said the same while taking a jibe over reports of RJD moving their MLAs to a hotel to prevent any cross-voting.
Mar 16, 2026 11:47:56 AM IST
Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 LIVE Updates: Anil Vij casts vote despite fracture in both legs
Anil Vij, minister in Haryana government, turned up to cast his vote despite fractures in both of his leg. He said that he was confident BJP will win both of the seats they are contesting for in Rajya Sabha from Haryana.
So far, a total of 176 MLAs from the NDA have cast their votes. At he same time, 37 MLAs from the Opposition alliance, the Mahagathbandhan, have voted. Only 24 MLAs from RJD have turned up to cast their votes so far.
Mar 16, 2026 11:23:25 AM IST
Rajya Sabha Polling LIVE: Haryana CM Saini reacts to Congress moving MLAs to Himachal
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini reacted to the reports that Congress moved several of its MLAs from Haryana to Himachal Pradesh to avoid cross-voting. Saini said, “I came to know from you that they have gone to Himachal. I do not have any information about it. Every party works in its own way… Every individual claims victory in their own way. Anyone can make such claims. The real picture becomes clear only when the results come.”
Mar 16, 2026 10:57:03 AM IST
Rajya Sabha Elections LIVE: Bihar BJP prez confident of clean sweep in state
Bihar BJP president Sanjay Saraogi said that he is confident of all NDA candidates clinching the Rajya Sabha polls in the state.
“All five seats are going to go to the account of Bihar’s NDA. When we are about to leave after the counting of votes, all five of our leaders will leave as Rajya Sabha members; there is no doubt about this,” he said.
Targetting the opposition, Saraogi said that They (RJD) do not have trust in their MLAs. “Only the people of the Mahagathbandhan can tell why they have kept their MLAs tied up,” he added.
Mar 16, 2026 10:37:24 AM IST
Rajya Sabha Polling LIVE: Tejashvi confident of clinching one seat
RJD President Tejashwi Yadav is very sure that his party has enough support to clinch a Rajya Sabha seat.
RJD needs support of 41 MLAs to send its candidate, AD Singh, to the Rajya Sabha. But the party and its alliance only have 35 MLAs in the Assembly. However, Tejashwi said that AIMIM and BSP, which have six seats and one seat respectively, have extended their support for the RJD candidates.
“We are confident. Earlier, the strength of Mahagathbandha was 35. To win, 41 is needed. BJP-NDA needed 3. But we accepted this challenge and chose to fight the BJP, not to cower before them. Colleagues from AIMIM and BSP have supported the RJD candidate. So, the strength now is 41,” he said.
Mar 16, 2026 10:25:49 AM IST
Rajya Sabha Elections LIVE: Voting begins for 2 seats in Haryana
Voting is now taking place for the two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana with a candidate each from the BJP, Congress and an Independent in the fray.
From BJP, the name is Sanjay Bhatia, while Karamvir Singh Boudh is the nominee from Congress and Independent candidate Satish Nandal is also in the fray for the two seats. The BJP is backing Nandal for the second seat.
Nandal had unsuccessfully contested the 2019 assembly polls as a BJP nominee and is currently designated as one of the party’s state vice presidents.
Mar 16, 2026 10:12:44 AM IST
Rajya Sabha Elections LIVE: BJD chief slams BJP, says they are engaged in ‘horse trading’
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has accused the BJP of engaging in “horse-trading” ahead of the Rajya Sabha elections. His remarks came after Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar alleged that four individuals from Odisha attempted to bribe Congress MLAs in Karnataka, offering ₹5 crore each to cross-vote in the upcoming polls. Shivakumar described the alleged attempt as part of an “Operation Kamala”-style strategy.
In a post on X, Patnaik said reports from Bengaluru suggested that four individuals had been arrested for allegedly trying to hand over blank cheques to MLAs to influence votes in favour of BJP-backed Rajya Sabha candidates. He called the arrests “major proof” of his earlier allegations that the BJP was trying to lure MLAs from other parties in Odisha.
Mar 16, 2026 9:54:44 AM IST
How Rajya Sabha voting works
Rajya Sabha members are elected by MLAs of state assemblies through the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, conducted through an open ballot.
If all seats are not filled through first-preference votes, the surplus votes of winning candidates are transferred to other candidates who fall short of the required number.
If that still does not help a candidate reach the required 41-vote mark, second-preference votes come into play.
Mar 16, 2026 9:41:55 AM IST
NDA aims for a clean sweep in Bihar
The NDA is aiming to making a a clean sweep of sorts in all five seats with three big names — Nitish Kumar (JDU), Nitin Nabin (BJP) and Upendra Kushwaha (RLM) — in the contention. The other two NDA candidates are minister Ram Nath Thakur of the JDU, who is looking to for a hat-trick and BJP state general secretary Shivesh Kumar.
“All NDA leaders are confident about all five seats. The unease is in the opposition camp, and they are in a huddle. That shows which side is not sure of the outcome,” JD(U) minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said.
Mar 16, 2026 9:29:55 AM IST
Polling begins in Rajya Sabha
The first two states for which the voting began are Bihar and Odisha. In Bihar, chief minister and JD(U) supremo Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin are among the NDA candidates.
The voting for the RS polls is being held in Odisha after a gap of 12 years, as this time, five candidates are in the fray for the four seats which will fall vacant on April 2.
!["India can field multiple world-class T20 teams", Suryakumar Yadav](https://i3.wp.com/images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/sanjusurya-1773648144419_d.png?w=696&resize=696,0&ssl=1 ""India can field multiple world-class T20 teams", Suryakumar Yadav")
!["India can field multiple world-class T20 teams", Suryakumar Yadav](https://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2026/mar/sanjusurya-1773648144419_d.png ""India can field multiple world-class T20 teams", Suryakumar Yadav")
