Evening edition
Daily current affairs for UPSC, BPSC, State PCS and PSC exams.
Why in news?
Several Lok Sabha MPs from the Trinamool Congress (TMC) have announced their intention to merge with the Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI), aligning themselves with the NDA. This move signifies a significant internal rift within the TMC.
Key points
- Around 20 TMC Lok Sabha MPs are reportedly planning to join the NCPI.
- The NCPI has agreed to accept the merger, potentially increasing its strength to 22 MPs.
- The rebel MPs claim to have no connection with the dissident TMC MLAs in West Bengal.
- They have expressed their intent to work with the NDA under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Background & context
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) is a major political party in West Bengal. The Nationalist Citizens Party of India (NCPI) is a lesser-known political outfit. The 2024 general elections saw the TMC win 28 seats in the Lok Sabha. Internal party dissensions can lead to fragmentation and shifts in political alliances.
★ Prelims fact capsule
The TMC won 28 Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 general elections.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 1: Indian Society (Impact of politics on social fabric), GS Paper 2: Indian Polity (Party politics, defections, electoral system, constitutional provisions related to floor crossing and party mergers).
Why in news?
Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee has filed an election petition in the Calcutta High Court challenging the result of the Bhabanipur Assembly seat, which she lost to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari.
Key points
- Mamata Banerjee lost the Bhabanipur Assembly seat to BJP's Suvendu Adhikari by 15,105 votes.
- This is not the first time she has challenged an election result; she did so in 2021 after losing to Adhikari in Nandigram.
- Suvendu Adhikari, the current CM of Bengal, won both Bhabanipur and Nandigram in the recent elections.
- The counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly election was held on May 4.
Background & context
Mamata Banerjee is the founder and leader of the Trinamool Congress. Suvendu Adhikari was a prominent TMC leader who joined the BJP. The Bhabanipur constituency is in West Bengal. Election petitions are legal challenges filed against the outcome of an election.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee by 15,105 votes in the Bhabanipur Assembly seat.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 2: Indian Polity (Electoral process, challenges to election results, role of judiciary in electoral disputes).
Why in news?
The Supreme Court has asked the Centre and States to respond to a plea arguing that Aadhaar should only be used as proof of identity and not for citizenship, domicile, or residence, to prevent misuse by infiltrators.
Key points
- The plea alleges that Aadhaar is being misused as proof of citizenship and domicile, allowing illegal immigrants to avail benefits.
- The petition relies on Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, which states Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship or domicile.
- A UIDAI notification from August 2023 clarified Aadhaar's role as only proof of identity.
- The plea also questions Aadhaar's use in voter registration (Form-6), potentially undermining electoral integrity.
Background & context
The Aadhaar Act, 2016, established the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to issue Aadhaar numbers. Aadhaar is a 12-digit unique identification number issued by the UIDAI on behalf of the Government of India. It is primarily used as a proof of identity and address.
★ Prelims fact capsule
Section 9 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016, explicitly states that Aadhaar is not proof of citizenship or domicile.
✎ Mains relevance
GS Paper 2: Indian Polity (Governance, rights and legal issues concerning Aadhaar, citizenship and immigration), GS Paper 4: Ethics (Misuse of official documents, ethical governance).