Polity Current Affairs

Indian Polity and Constitution Current Affairs, Important for competitive Exams.

Mahua Moitra expelled from Lok Sabha member over allegations of a “cash-for-query” scandal.

Mahua Moitra, a Lok Sabha member, was expelled on December 8, 2023, over allegations of a “cash-for-query” scandal.

The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee recommended her expulsion for allowing a businessman to use her Parliament login to ask questions on her behalf, breaching parliamentary ethics and compromising national security. The committee’s decision, based on a draft report, had six members in support and four members dissenting.

Q: Why was Mahua Moitra expelled from the Lok Sabha on December 8, 2023?

a. Financial misconduct
b. Involvement in a “cash-for-query” scandal
c. Violation of parliamentary dress code
d. Absence without leave

Ans : b. Involvement in a “cash-for-query” scandal

Mizoram Assembly Election : Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) to Form Government

Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) to Form Government in Mizoram:

  • ZPM announces intention to stake claim to form the government in Mizoram.
  • Consultative meeting scheduled for newly elected MLAs and senior party leaders.

Election Results and ZPM’s Majority:

  • ZPM secures an absolute majority in the state Assembly elections, winning 27 out of 40 seats.
  • Ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) wins ten seats, BJP wins two, and Congress wins one.

Lalduhoma’s Background:

  • 73-year-old former IPS officer Lalduhoma, set to become the new Chief Minister of Mizoram.
  • ZPM, initially a common platform of six smaller regional parties and civil society groups in 2017, recognized as a regional party in 2019.

Q: Who is set to become the new Chief Minister of Mizoram ?

  • a) Zoramthanga
  • b) Lalduhoma
  • c) Lalthansanga
  • d) Lalremruata Arema

Assembly elections : BJP set to form govt in MP, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh; Congress victory in Telangana

  1. Madhya Pradesh Elections:
    • BJP secures a clear majority, winning 163 seats out of 230.
    • Congress wins 66 seats;
    • polling held on November 17th.
  2. Rajasthan Elections:
    • BJP wins a clear majority with 115 seats.
    • Congress secures 69 seats,
  3. Chhattisgarh Elections:
    • BJP set to regain power after five years; wins 54 seats.
    • Congress secures 35 seats ;
    • two-phase polling held on November 7th and 17th.
  4. Telangana Elections:
    • Congress poised for absolute majority with 64 seats out of 119.
    • Ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) wins 39 seats; BJP secures 8 seats.
    • AIMIM bags 7 seats;

Question: In the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, which political party secured a clear majority?

A) Congress
B) BJP
C) BSP
D) Bharat Adiwasi party

Answer: B) BJP

Q: In Telangana, which party won the Assembly Election?

a) BJP
b) Congress
c) AIMIM
d) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS)

Ans : b) Congress

Winter Session of Parliament from 4 to 22 December 2023

  • Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, announced that the Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to commence on December 4, 2023.
  • The session will conclude on December 22, 2023, and will have a total of 15 sittings.
  • An all-party meeting has been called by the government on December 2, 2023, to ensure the smooth functioning of both Houses during the session.

Q: Who is the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs ?

a. Nitin Gadkari
b. Amit Shah
c. Pralhad Joshi
d. Rajnath Singh

Ans : c. Pralhad Joshi

President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, in the Supreme Court on the occasion of 73rd Constitution Day

Constitution Day is celebrated nationwide on November 26, 2023, to commemorate the adoption of the Indian Constitution. President Droupadi Murmu unveiled the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the father of the Constitution, in the Supreme Court on the occasion of 73rd Samvidhan Diwas (Constitution Day). Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and other Supreme Court judges were present.

  • The Indian Constitution was formally adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949.
  • It came into force on January 26, 1950.
  • The celebration aims to promote constitutional values among citizens.
  • In 2015, the Government decided to observe this day as Constitution Day.

Q: When is Constitution Day celebrated in India?

a. January 26
b. November 26
c. December 26
d. October 26

Ans : b. November 26

Q: What significant event occurred on November 26, 1949, in India?

a. Independence Day
b. Republic Day
c. Adoption of the Indian Constitution
d. Formation of the Constituent Assembly

c. Adoption of the Indian Constitution

Polling for Rajasthan Assembly Election on November 25, 2023.

Polling for 199 out of 200 seats in Rajasthan Assembly Election is scheduled from 7 am to 6 pm on November 25, 2023.

  • The election in Sriganganagar’s Karanpur seat has been suspended due to the death of Congress candidate and incumbent MLA Gurmeet Singh Koonar.
  • A total of 1,862 candidates are contesting in the elections.
  • The overall number of voters is 5.25 crore.
  • Among the voters, 1.71 crore fall in the 18 to 30 age group.
  • There are 22.61 lakh new voters in the 18-19 age group.

Q.: What is the total number of voters in Rajasthan Assembly Election 2023?

  • a. 4.75 crore
  • b. 5 crore
  • c. 5.25 crore
  • d. 5.5 crore

Ans : c. 5.25 crore

Assembly Elections ; MP – Single Phase -Around 72 % voter turnout ; Chhattisgarh – final phase- Over 68 % voting in polls

Voting for 230 assembly seats of Madhya Pradesh Assembly and 70 assembly seats of Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections (Second Phase): conducted peacefully on November 17, 2023.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections:

  • Voting for 230 assembly seats conducted peacefully on November 17, 2023.
  • Over 72 percent voter turnout reported across the state.
  • Naxal-affected Balaghat district and some polling stations in Mandla and Dindori saw peaceful voting until 3 pm.
  • A total of 2,533 candidates contested, with the highest voting (85.49 percent) in Sailana constituency and the lowest (50.41 percent) in Bhind assembly constituency.
  • Varied voter turnout reported in different districts: 59 percent in Bhopal, 66 percent in Jabalpur, 61 percent in Gwalior, 65 percent in Indore, and over 80 percent in Neemuch, Rajgarh, Ratlam, Seoni, and Shajapur districts.
  • Decorative arrangements and innovations by the Election Commission noted, with a positive voter response.
  • No untoward incidents reported at more than 64 thousand polling stations.
  • Notable leaders, including Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and others, await the counting of votes on December 3.

Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections (Second Phase):

  • Voting for 70 assembly seats completed peacefully with sporadic incidents.
  • Over 68 percent voter turnout recorded until 5 pm.
  • Highest turnout (82 percent) in Kurud assembly constituency, and the lowest (52 percent) in Raipur South (final figures awaited).
  • About 1 percent of cases of technical faults in machines reported and quickly resolved during voting.
  • Security force soldier martyred in a blast caused by Maoists during the return of the polling party from Bindranavagarh assembly constituency in Gariaband district.
  • A total of 959 candidates, including 130 women, contested in the second phase.
  • Prominent candidates include Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Assembly Speaker Dr. Charandas Mahant, Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Dev, Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu, and others.
  • The fate of all candidates will be determined on December 3 during the counting of votes.

Q.: Which constituency recorded the highest voter turnout in the second phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections?

  • A) Kurud
  • B) Raipur South
  • C) Patan
  • D) Sakti

Ans : A) Kurud – Highest turnout (82 percent) in Kurud assembly constituency

Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on the 4th December 2023

The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on the 4th December 2023. The session will last until December 22nd and will consist of 15 sittings. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi shared this information through a social media post.

A Special Session of Parliament was held in September in which the historic Women’s Reservation Bill was passed.

Sessions of Indian Parliament

The Indian Parliament operates in sessions, with each year typically divided into three sessions: the Budget Session, the Monsoon Session, and the Winter Session. Each session has a specific purpose and duration, and it plays a crucial role in the legislative process and the functioning of the government. Here are key points about the sessions of the Indian Parliament:

  1. Budget Session:
    • The Budget Session is the most significant session of the Indian Parliament.
    • It usually begins in late January or early February and lasts until May.
    • The Union Budget is presented during this session, outlining the government’s financial plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
    • The session is divided into two parts, with a recess in between to allow parliamentary committees to examine budgetary proposals.
  2. Monsoon Session:
    • The Monsoon Session generally commences in July and concludes in August.
    • Its primary purpose is to consider and pass important bills and legislation.
    • The session gets its name from the timing, coinciding with the monsoon season in India.
  3. Winter Session:
    • The Winter Session usually begins in November and extends until December.
    • It focuses on considering and passing pending bills and other legislative business.
    • The session provides an opportunity for Members of Parliament to discuss and deliberate on various issues.
  4. Special Sessions:
    • In addition to the regular sessions, special sessions can be convened to address specific and urgent matters.
    • The President of India can summon a special session at the request of the Prime Minister or upon the recommendation of the Cabinet.

Q.: During which session is the Union Budget presented in the Indian Parliament?

  • A. Monsoon Session
  • B. Winter Session
  • C. Budget Session
  • D. Special Session

Ans : C. Budget Session

Q.: What is the focus of the Winter Session of the Indian Parliament?

  • A. Presentation of the Union Budget
  • B. Consideration and passage of pending bills
  • C. Legislative scrutiny of budgetary proposals
  • D. Recess for parliamentary committees

Ans : B. Consideration and passage of pending bills

Assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana from 7th to 30th November, with the counting on 3rd December

Assembly elections are scheduled for Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana. The election dates are between 7th to 30th November 2023, with the counting on 3rd December.

  1. Detailed election schedules and notifications are provided for each state.
  2. These elections are significant as they precede the General Elections in 2024.
  3. There are 679 assembly seats and 16 crore electors across these states, with around 60 lakh first-time voters.
  4. Electoral malpractice can be reported through the cVigil App, with a quick response promised.
  5. Over 940 inter-state border check posts will be set up to monitor the movement of illicit cash, liquor, freebies, and drugs.
  6. An election seizure management system is being introduced to ensure inducement-free elections.

MCQs

Q.: When will the counting of votes for the assembly elections in Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana take place?

a) 7th November
b) 3rd December
c) 30th November
d) 17th November

Ans : b) 3rd December

Q.: What is the purpose of the cVigil App ?

a) To count votes electronically
b) To monitor election rallies
c) To report electoral malpractice
d) To provide election results

Ans : c) To report electoral malpractice

Manipur government extended the imposition of the AFSPA for another six months

On September 27, 2023, the Manipur government extended the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for another six months, covering the entire state except for 19 police stations in seven districts of the Imphal Valley.

  1. The “disturbed area” status under AFSPA will continue to apply to all the hill districts, which are predominantly inhabited by tribal communities. However, the act has gradually been withdrawn from valley districts since 2022 due to improved security conditions.
  2. Manipur has witnessed a resurgence of insurgent groups, primarily operating from Myanmar, advocating for the secession of Manipur from India. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating a transnational conspiracy by these groups to wage war against the government amid ongoing ethnic violence.
  3. Ethnic violence in Manipur between the Meitei and tribal Kuki communities has resulted in at least 175 deaths since May 3, 2023, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the state in years.
  4. The Manipur government is considering a “one district, one force” deployment strategy for enhanced security operations, given the presence of around 40,000 Central security forces, including the army, in the state.
  5. The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) grants extensive powers to the army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in “disturbed areas,” including the authority to use lethal force, make arrests without warrants, and enjoy legal immunity from prosecution without the Union government’s sanction.
  6. AFSPA had been in effect in Manipur since 1981, and it also applied to Naga-dominated areas of the former Union Territory of Manipur since 1958. However, it has been progressively withdrawn from various areas in recent years.
  7. Both the state and Union governments can issue AFSPA notifications, with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issuing notifications for Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, while Manipur and Assam notifications are issued by their respective state governments.

Q,: What is the current situation in Manipur that has prompted concerns about security and the resurgence of insurgent groups?

a) Political protests
b) Natural disasters
c) Ethnic violence
d) Economic growth

Ans : c) Ethnic violence

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