President’s Rule in Maharashtra

Since no party has been able to form the government in the state of Maharashtra even after 20 days of the poll results, State Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari has recommended President’s Rule in the state in accordance with the Article 356 of the Constitution.

Crux of the Matter
  • In the Maharashtra assembly polls, BJP had acquired 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, Congress 44 and NCP 54. Maharashtra assembly would require a majority, i.e 145 seats out of 288 for the formation of the state government.
  • With a row regarding distributing powers with the BJP, Shiv Sena had drawn back from forming a coalition with the ruling party.
  • A coalition between Shiv Sena, Sharad Powar’s NCP, and Congress is being mulled over. Leaders of Congress are in talks with Sena, with which Congress does not see eye-to-eye.
  • Governor Koshyari and Union Cabinet seek President’s Rule, while Shiv Sena has moved to Supreme Court against the Governor’s withhold of the three-day extension.
Curiopedia

President Rule – In India, President’s rule is the suspension of state government and imposition of direct central government rule in a state. Under Article 356 of the Constitution of India, in the event that a state government is unable to function according to constitutional provisions, the Central government can take direct control of the state machinery. Subsequently, executive authority is exercised through the centrally appointed governor, who has the authority to appoint other administrators to assist them. Read More

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Cyclone Bulbul Hits W.B. & Odisha

Originating from the Bay of Bengal, the very severe cyclone Bulbul hit the coasts of Eastern India and Bangladesh at an intensity of Category 2 hurricane, causing heavy rains and storm winds up to 135 kmph in the region. West Bengal and Odisha have been severely affected by the landfall of the cyclone.

Crux of the Matter
  • Cyclone Bulbul has taken the life of 7 people in the state of West Bengal. Deaths have been caused due to falling of trees.
  • No casualties have been reported from Odisha, but the cyclone did not fare Odisha completely as it damaged seasons standing crops in an area of around 2 lakh hectares. Also, Balasore district has been providing shelter to the cyclone-hit people from Baincha village.
  • Electricity and telecom services in the region have also been disrupted in the region. Although, power services are being gradually resumed.
  • Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) have been clearing water loggings and tree blockages along with rescuing people to safer shelters.
Curiopedia

Cyclone Bulbul – Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Bulbul is an active tropical cyclone which struck the Indian state of West Bengal at Category 2 hurricane-equivalent intensity and is currently a flood and storm surge threat to Bangladesh. Originating from the remnants of Severe Tropical Storm Matmo over the southern Bay of Bengal in early November, Bulbul slowly intensified into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm. Read More

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Hong Kong Protesters Call on America for Protection

Protesters gathered at central Hong Kong on Monday, asking American lawmakers to process legislation that supports the territory’s democratic freedom and punishes those who try to stop it.

Crux of the Matter
  • This demonstration was the first approved by the authorities after ban on masks.
  • Instead of discussing demands, government retaliated with more police and imposed more restrictions.
  • More than 2,500 people have been arrested.
  • “Our citizens do not have any kind of power to fight against the government,” said Crystal Yeung, 23, a protester. “We are relying on the U.S. to punish those who are trying to breach the Hong Kong law.”
  • The protesters are hoping for Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act to be discussed thoroughly.
Curiopedia

The Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019 is a bicameral and bipartisan American legislation that reintroduced the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act in light of the 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill proposal and the ensuing protests against it. The act “directs various departments to assess whether political developments in Hong Kong justify changing Hong Kong’s unique treatment under U.S. law.” Read More

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Former Bolivian President Takes Political Asylum in Mexico

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales had resigned after his government collapsed on 10th November due to ongoing political unrest in the nation. He has accepted the political asylum granted by Mexico on a humanitarian basis on account of the political crisis in Bolivia.

Crux of the Matter
  • Bolivian government collapsed after ruling party allies quit and the army urged Evo Morales to step down amidst a disputed election in which the country has been hit by weeks of protests.
  • ‘Organization of American States‘ announced in its audit of the election that it had found “clear manipulation” and called for the election result to be annulled.
  • Morales had agreed to hold fresh elections but his main rival, Carlos Mesa was against Morales again contesting the elections.
  • This situation has led to chaos and uncertainty in Bolivia. Looting and vandalism are being carried out by both his supporters and opponents.
  • US President Donald Trump described it as “a significant moment for democracy in the Western Hemisphere”.
  • The Russian foreign ministry said a “wave of violence unleashed by the opposition” had not allowed the “presidential mandate of Evo Morales to be completed”.
Curiopedia

Juan Evo Morales Ayma born October 26 1959, is a Bolivian politician and former cocalero activist who served as the 80thPresident of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019. Widely regarded as the country’s first president to come from the indigenous population, his administration focused on the implementation of leftist policies, poverty reduction, and combating the influence of the United States and multinational corporations in Bolivia. More Info

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MHA Commutes Death Sentence of Beant Singh’s Killer

Balwant Singh Rajoana, assassin of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, will now serve life imprisonment instead of death penalty as a humanitarian gesture by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Crux of the Matter
  • Balwant Singh Rajaona was charged for the 1995 explosion at Chandigarh Civil Secretariat. The explosion killed 17 members including CM Beant Singh.
  • He was given Death penalty in 2007.
  • As he refused to filing a mercy plea, Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), in 2014, filed a plea on his behalf. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) had also been insisting on the revocation of the death sentence.
  • As a token on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, MHA besides issuing the commutation of Balwant’s death sentence released 8 life imprisonment convicts charged for Sikh militancy.
  • “Since the crime took place in the jurisdiction of UT of Chandigarh, it is up to them how they process the case and present it before the President of India. MHA wrote a letter to UT Chandigarh and endorsed a copy to us; we have forwarded the letter to them,” said Mr. Ratnam, Principal Secretary of Jails, Punjab.
Curiopedia

Beant Singh was assassinated in a bomb blast at the secretariat complex in Chandigarh on 31 August 1995. The blast claimed the lives of 17 others including 3 Indian commandos. Beant Singh was accompanied by his close friend Ranjodh Singh Mann on the day of assassination. Dilawar Singh Babbar of Babbar Khalsa International acted as the suicide bomber; later, the backup bomber Balwant Singh Rajoana was also convicted for the killing. Read More

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