Today in Politics: Amid demand for discussion on SIR, Centre likely to push key Bills in Parliament

Indian Express

13 hours ago

The government is likely to push on Monday the passage of a key sports Bill in the Lok Sabha, amid a continuing deadlock in Parliament as the Opposition's united demand for a discussion on SIR failed to draw a positive response from the ruling alliance.
The Lower House has listed the National Sports Governance Bill, which envisages greater transparency in the functioning of sports bodies, for consideration and passage.
The Rajya Sabha has listed for passage on Monday a resolution from Home Minister Amit Shah on the extension of the President's rule in Manipur by another six months with effect from August 13.
Except for a two-day discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor in both the Houses, parliamentary proceedings have been all but a washout since the Monsoon session began on July 21 as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has ignited vociferous protests from opposition parties.
The INDIA bloc, which has in previous sessions often spoken in different voices, has joined ranks over the issue, alleging the Election Commission's exercise is aimed at removing voters sympathetic to its agenda and boosting the prospects of the BJP-led NDA.
The EC has said it will roll out the exercise nationally to 'protect' the integrity of electoral rolls to ensure that only eligible voters are allowed to cast votes.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who recently claimed that his party has figured out the modus operandi of the 'vote theft' by studying a Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka, will participate in a protest in Bengaluru on Monday and submit a representation to EC officials.
Amid the raging row over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, on July 23, alleged that elections are being 'stolen' in India and claimed that his party has figured out the modus operandi of the 'votes theft' by studying a LS constituency in Karnataka.
'Rahul Gandhi has raised voice against irregularities in elections. He had said that such things had taken place in Karnataka too, so he is coming here to give representation to the Election Commission officials. He is coming on August 4,' state Home Minister G Parameshwara said.
'State president (D K Shivakumar) and Chief Minister (Siddaramaiah) are finalising the plan. As per the tentative plan, he (Rahul Gandhi) is likely to address party workers at Freedom Park, following which he is likely to meet election officials and submit a memorandum,' he added.
BRS MLC and Telangana Jagruthi president K Kavitha last week said that she will begin a 72-hour fast from Monday to pressurise both the Congress government in the state and the NDA government at the Centre to approve the Bills providing 42% quota for Backward Classes.
Kavitha said the fast will highlight the need for the passage of the BC bill.
Kavitha, who has of late been organising political activities under the banner of Telangana Jagruthi, a cultural organisation headed by her, said she had held a 72-hour fast during undivided Andhra Pradesh demanding the installation of a statue of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the premises of the state legislature.
The Justice H N Nagmohan Das Commission report, aimed at providing internal reservation among SCs in Karnataka, is likely to be submitted on Monday.
Ahead of the report being submitted, state Home Minister G Parameshwara called a meeting of SC legislators on August 2 'to gather the opinions of people in the party from various SC sub-castes, and to ensure that there is no confusion'.
'Ahead of Nagmohan Das Commission submitting the report, we wanted to have a discussion on it, so as to ensure that no one is upset or there is no confusion, and to understand each other's opinion. So I have called a meeting,' Paramehwara said in response to a question.
The government, in November last year, had appointed retired judge of the Karnataka High Court Nagmohan Das to head a commission to recommend internal reservation among SCs, after the Supreme Court last year allowed the states to provide internal reservation, and the State Cabinet agreed to implement internal reservation.
BJP MPs from West Bengal will meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday in Delhi to strategize on countering allegations raised by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the state Assembly.
'Tomorrow, we will have a meeting with the Home Minister. While it is strictly a party meeting, we will also address the RG Kar issue. The parents of the victim doctor have shared certain insights and provided us with documents that we will present. However, we cannot make any commitments as the CBI is currently investigating the matter,' said BJP State President and MP Shamik Bhattacharya on Sunday.
The TMC has been vocal about the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrant workers and their pushback into Bangladesh. Additionally, TMC MPs have been holding protests on the Parliament premises regarding the implementation of the SIR (Special Investigation Report) in Bihar, which they oppose in West Bengal. The meeting will address these issues and discuss the counterstrategy.
– With PTI inputs