Phase 4 of Lok Sabha elections 2024: Key candidates and constituencies
New Delhi: The crucial fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, with 96 seats up for grabs across 10 states and union territories is happening today. Here's a rundown of key candidates and constituencies to watch out for:
1. Baharampur, West Bengal: A heated contest is anticipated among the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in this constituency. Former Indian cricketer Yusuf Pathan is challenging West Bengal Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and BJP's candidate Nirmal Kumar Saha.
2. Hyderabad, Telangana: Bharatiya Janata Party's Madhavi Latha is challenging sitting All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen MP Asaduddin Owaisi. Owaisi, a prominent figure in the constituency, is campaigning for a fifth term, emphasizing political representation and minority rights.
3. Krishnanagar, West Bengal: Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra faces BJP's Amrita Roy in a significant contest. Moitra won this constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
4. Begusarai, Bihar: BJP's Giriraj Singh is contesting against CPI candidate Awadhesh Rai. Giriraj Singh secured victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections against Kanhaiya Kumar of the CPI.
5. Munger, Bihar: Janata Dal (United) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) is facing RJD leader Anita Devi. Lalan Singh secured victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
6. Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: National Conference's Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi challenges PDP's Waheed Parra in this contest.
7. Asansol, West Bengal: Trinamool Congress (TMC) has fielded Shatrughan Sinha against BJP's Surinderjeet Singh Ahluwalia.
8. Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav is challenging incumbent MP and BJP leader Subrat Pathak.
9. Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh: Andhra Pradesh Congress chief YS Sharmila contests against sitting MP Avinash Reddy.
10. Khunti, Jharkhand: BJP's Arjun Munda is contesting against Congress' Kali Charan Munda.
These constituencies will shape the political landscape as voters head to the polls in Phase 4 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024.
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Ordinance issued to increase number of Supreme Court judges from 34 to 38
New Delhi (PTI): The government has promulgated an ordinance to increase the strength of the Supreme Court from the present 34 judges to 38, including the Chief Justice of India.
The law ministry notified the ordinance on Saturday, which amended the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, to increase the sanctioned strength of the top court.
So far, the sanctioned strength of the top court was 34, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI). Now, the number of judges has been increased by four, taking the sanctioned strength to 38.
The top court will now have 37 judges, other than the CJI.
With the apex court having two vacancies at present, and the ordinance coming into force immediately, the Supreme Court Collegium will now have to recommend six names for appointment as judges in the top court.
A bill will be brought in the Monsoon Session of Parliament to convert the ordinance – an executive order – into a law passed by Parliament.
The Union Cabinet had cleared a draft bill on May 5 to increase the number of apex court judges.
The strength of the Supreme Court was last increased from 30 to 33 (excluding the CJI) in 2019.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, as originally enacted in 1956, put the maximum number of judges (excluding the CJI) at 10.
This number was increased to 13 by the Supreme Court (Number of Judges), Amendment Act, 1960, and to 17 by another amendment to the law.
The Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Act, 1986, augmented the strength of judges from 17 to 25, excluding the CJI.
A fresh amendment in 2009 further increased the strength from 25 to 30.
Article 124(3) of the Constitution lists the qualifications required to become a Supreme Court judge.
An Indian citizen who has either served as a high court judge for at least five years, or as an advocate for 10 years, or is a distinguished jurist, can be appointed to the top court.
The strength of the Supreme Court is increased based on the recommendations of the CJI, who writes to the Union law minister. After consulting the finance ministry, the Department of Justice under the law ministry moves the Cabinet with a draft bill.
