Latest news with #JammuandKashmirReorganisation(Amendment)Bill
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
TDP and JD(U) support the Bills but express reservation about several ‘grey areas' in the legislations
Two key National Democratic Alliance partners, the Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party, expressed support for three Bills that seek to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and Ministers from office if they are 'arrested and detained in custody on account of serious criminal charges', while also underlining reservations about 'grey areas' in the legislations. The allies hoped their concerns would be addressed during scrutiny of the Bills in the Parliament's Joint Committee. Home Minister Amit Shah moved the constitutional amendment Bills in the Lok Sabha, along with a resolution to send them to the Parliament's Joint Committee. According to sources, the allies were neither informed nor consulted about these Bills, which were circulated late on Tuesday night to Lok Sabha members. Speaking to The Hindu, the TDP's Parliamentary Party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said that these legislations are in the right direction. Listing out the 'coal block allocation, 2G spectrum allocation, AgustaWestland Helicopter procurement and Adarsh Housing scams', Mr. Devarayalu said, 'The country has moved away from the United Progressive Alliance [UPA] era, when such cases made regular headlines. Since 2014, we haven't had such cases… we may not have perfected the system but we have definitely bettered it. No Chief Minister or Minister should run the administration from jail. These legislations are in the right direction.' At the same time, he said that legislation should not be 'misused'. 'There are grey areas that need to be addressed and the Bills should be studied at length, which we believe will be done at Parliament's Joint Committee. We have to ensure that it is not misused,' he said. Secretary General and spokesperson of Janata Dal (United) K.C. Tyagi said that the legislation is aimed to ensure probity in public life. 'This should be implemented without any bias,' he said. He also rejected the Congress's claim that these Bills will be used by the government to target its own allies like the JD(U). 'No corruption charge has ever been levelled against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. I reject the Congress's claim that the Bills are aimed at us. They are aimed at the corrupt and there is nothing wrong with it,' he said. The government had moved three Bills — the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025; the Constitution (One Hundred And Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025; and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The Bills propose the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers of the Centre and State governments if are arrested and detained in custody for 30 consecutive days for offences that attract a jail term of at least five years.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Going back to medieval times': Rahul Gandhi slams new bills tabled by Amit Shah; asks 'where has VP gone?'
NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition and Congress MP on Wednesday hit out at the Centre over the new bills introduced by Union home minister , saying that "we are going back to medieval times when the king could just remove anybody at will." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Earlier in the day, Amit Shah tabled three bills in the Lok Sabha -- the One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment Bill, 2025, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill. The proposals seek the removal of the Prime Minister, Union ministers, chief ministers, or state/UT ministers if they are arrested or kept in custody for serious criminal charges for 30 consecutive days. Targeting the -led Centre, Rahul said, 'There is a lot of action going on about the new Bill that the BJP is proposing. We are going back to medieval times when the king could just remove anybody at will. There's no concept of what an elected person is. He doesn't like your face, so he tells ED to put a case, and then a democratically elected person is wiped out within 30 days.' He also raised questions over the sudden resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar ahead of the upcoming Vice-Presidential election. 'Also, let's not forget why we are electing a new Vice President. Just yesterday I was having a conversation with somebody and I said, you know, where is the old vice president gone? He's gone…' He added: "Why is he hiding? Is the Vice President of India in a situation where he cannot say a word? Suddenly, the person who used to burst forth in the Rajya Sabha has gone silent, completely silent. So, this is the time we are living in.' Reiterating support for the INDIA bloc's Vice-Presidential candidate, Rahul added, 'We are backing Sudershan Reddy ji, and I am confident that he will fight an extremely solid election, and the nation will see the message that we are intending to deliver.'
News18
8 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
‘I Resigned…': Amit Shah's Reply To Congress' ‘Morality' Question Over Bills To Remove PM, CMs
Last Updated: Congress MP Venugopal questioned Amit Shah's morality; Shah defended himself. The Lok Sabha witnessed a stormy and heated face-off between the Centre and the opposition over the contentious bill that provides for the removal of the Prime Minister or Chief Ministers arrested on serious criminal charges and kept in custody for over 30 days. During the house proceedings, a short but sharp exchange took place between Congress MP KC Venugopal and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the 'morality" of the legislation. Face Off Between Amit Shah, Congress MP After the bills– the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025, were tabled in the Lok Sabha, Venugopal invoked Shah's 2010 arrest as Gujarat's Home Minister and questioned his morality. 'This bill is to sabotage the federal system of the country; it is meant to sabotage the basic principles of the Constitution. Leaders of the BJP are saying that this bill is to bring morality into politics. Can I ask the Home Minister a question? When he was the home minister of Gujarat, he was arrested. Did he uphold morality at that time?" the Congress MP asked. Responding with emphasis, Shah said that the charges levelled against him were 'false," but he abided by constitutional principles by resigning from his post before going to jail. 'I want to set the record straight. Fake allegations were levelled against me, but despite that, I abided by morality and ethics and not only resigned but did not accept any constitutional post until I was cleared of all charges. They are trying to teach us morality? I had resigned. I want morality to increase. We can't be so shameless that we are charged and we continue to hold Constitutional posts. I had resigned before I was arrested," he said. Lok Sabha Ruckus Over Bill The Lok Sabha on Wednesday witnessed a massive showdown between the treasury bench and the opposition after Shah introduced new bills that provide for the removal of the prime minister or chief ministers arrested on serious criminal charges. Opposition MPs, including Asasduddin Owaisi, Manish Tewari, NK Premchandran, Dharmendra Yadav and KC Venugopal, opposed the bill, calling it 'anti-constitutional". Shah, however, proposed that the three bills be sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for further deliberation. Opposition MPs tore copies of three bills and threw paper bits towards him in the Lok Sabha. Speaker Om Birla later adjourned the House amid uproar. Opposing the bills, Owaisi said they violate the principle of separation of powers and undermine the right of the people to elect a government. 'It gives executive agencies a free run to become judge and executioner based on flimsy allegations and suspicions…This government is hell-bent on creating a Police State. This will be a death nail unleashed on the elected government. India's Constitution is being amended to turn this country into a Police State," he added. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 20, 2025, 17:54 IST News politics 'I Resigned…': Amit Shah's Reply To Congress' 'Morality' Question Over Bills To Remove PM, CMs Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Lok Sabha ruckus: TMC MP says BJP's Ravneet Singh Bittu, Kiren Rijiju 'attacked, pushed' her; Kalyan Banerjee doubled down on claim
NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Wednesday alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and Kiren Rijiju assaulted the female MPs of Mamata Banerjee-led party, which happened at the time when Home minister Amit Shah tabled three contentious bills proposing the removal of Prime Minister and chief ministers jailed for 30 consecutive days. TMC MP Mitali Bagh claimed, "While we were protesting against the bill, union ministers Ravneet Singh Bittu and Kiren Rijiju attacked me, they pushed is condemnable..." Earlier, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also claimed that Bittu and Rijiju pushed two of his party's MP women in the well of the Lok Sabha and added, "The BJP is committing atrocities against women." The ruckus erupted in the Lok Sabha when Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Amit Shah introduced three bills, prompting fierce opposition protests that labelled the proposed legislations as 'draconian'. The bills—the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill—propose a new legal framework applicable to ministers and chief ministers in states and Union Territories such as Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Union ministers and the Prime Minister at the Centre. During the chaotic session, which was adjourned until 5 pm and after passing a bill it again got adjourned, opposition leaders tore and threw what reports indicated were copies of the bills at Shah. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 11 Foods That Help In Healing Knee Pain Naturally Undo Opposition MPs, including AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi, Congress' Manish Tewari, and KC Venugopal, criticised the bills as being against the Constitution and federalism. In response, Shah dismissed claims that the bills were introduced in haste. He stated that the bills have been referred to the Joint Committee of Parliament, where members of both Houses, including those from the opposition, would have the opportunity to offer their suggestions. Rijiju criticised the opposition for the continuous disruption in the House, asserting that the more chaos they create, the more they risk public rejection. 'Creating disruption only harms the opposition, especially the new MPs. The more chaos you create, the more the public will completely reject you. Once again, I urge you all to participate in the discussion,' Rijiju said.
News18
10 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Opposition Slams It, Tharoor Backs It: What The ‘Bill To Remove PM, CMs' Really Proposes
No trial, no conviction, just 30 days in jail could cost top political leaders their post, under a bill the government calls reform and the Opposition calls dangerous In a striking end to the Parliament session, the Centre introduced three bills—the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill—that could fundamentally alter how political accountability works for those in high office. The Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill proposes automatic removal of a prime minister, chief minister, or minister from office if they are in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days. Importantly, this removal would occur regardless of conviction; mere custody for a month would trigger the removal. The condition? The offence for which the individual is arrested must be one that carries a punishment of five years or more. Any such individual would automatically cease to hold office on the 31st day of detention. They could, however, be reappointed later by the President or the governor if released. The government's rationale is to bring elected leaders at par with civil servants, who are suspended from service upon arrest. It's being framed as a step to curb the criminalisation of politics, an issue often cited in debates around political reforms. Currently, there is no bar on ministers continuing in office after arrest, unless they are convicted. The Representation of the People Act allows for disqualification only if the conviction carries a sentence of at least two years. This gap was brought into sharp focus over the past year in cases involving leaders like former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Tamil Nadu's Senthil Balaji. Kejriwal spent over five months in jail without trial before the Supreme Court granted him bail. During this time, he continued as CM and only resigned after being released. Under the new law, he would have automatically lost his post on the 31st day of custody. Similarly, Senthil Balaji, arrested in a money laundering case, was retained as a minister without portfolio by CM MK Stalin, sparking a constitutional standoff with the Tamil Nadu Governor. Why Is The Opposition Calling The Bill 'Draconian'? Opposition parties have described the bill as an unconstitutional overreach and a political weapon in disguise. Several leaders fear it could become a tool to topple governments in Opposition-ruled states using selective arrests. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called it a 'draconian" measure, warning: 'Tomorrow, you can file any case against a chief minister, have him/her arrested for 30 days without conviction… and he ceases to be a chief minister? It is absolutely anti-constitutional and undemocratic." #WATCH | On the bill for the removal of the PM, CMs, and ministers held on serious criminal charges, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, 'I see it as a completely draconian thing, as it goes against everything. To say it as an anti-corruption measure is just to pull a veil… — ANI (@ANI) August 20, 2025 Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi echoed this, stating the best way to destabilise Opposition governments is to 'unleash biased central agencies" and remove their elected leaders without defeating them electorally. Smaller parties have also pushed back. RSP's NK Premachandran said the legislation had an 'ulterior motive", while AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi called it 'unconstitutional" and accused the BJP of turning India into a 'police state". RJD's Sudhakar Singh went further, claiming India risked becoming like Pakistan or Bangladesh, 'where opposition leaders are either in jail or abroad". Opposition leaders have argued that mere custody, not conviction, would now be enough to trigger political removal under the new bill, a concern amplified by the frequent use of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to arrest political figures who are then denied bail for extended periods. This comes amid sharp Supreme Court criticism of the ED in recent months. The Chief Justice had questioned whether the agency was being used for 'political battles" and had warned it not to 'act like a crook". What Has The BJP Said In Its Defence? The ruling BJP insists the bills are anti-corruption measures, not political tools. The government argues that ministers should not be allowed to continue in high office while in jail, as it undermines public trust. BJP MLA Arvind Bellad said the bill was a 'welcome move", recalling how 'in the past, chief ministers have tried to rule the government despite being in jail". The Centre maintains that the reforms would tighten legal loopholes and uphold ethical standards in governance. Why Does Shashi Tharoor Think Differently? Amid strong opposition to the bill, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has struck a markedly different tone, defending the core idea behind the legislation. Speaking to NDTV, Tharoor said: 'If you spend 30 days in jail, can you continue to be a minister? This is a matter of common sense… I don't see anything wrong in this." Tharoor also welcomed the possibility of the bill being referred to a Parliamentary Select Committee, saying: 'I think it is good for our democracy to have a discussion within the committee… so let's have that discussion." His remarks are significant given his increasing divergence from the Congress leadership. His recent comments praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'dynamism" and his participation in discussions skipped by his own party have raised eyebrows. However, Tharoor has firmly denied any plans to join the BJP, telling NDTV: 'It is not a sign of my leaping to join the Prime Minister's party… as some people have been implying." Whether his support for the bill is a matter of principle or political signalling, it underscores the widening gap between him and the Congress high command. What Happens Next? top videos View all The bill was introduced on the last day of the session and is likely to be sent to a select committee for deeper examination. If passed in its current form, it could redefine the balance between due process and political accountability, and set off a legal-political battle over constitutional validity and federalism. As it stands, the draft has stirred an intense debate, not just between the government and the Opposition, but within the Opposition itself. About the Author Karishma Jain Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follow her @ More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Opposition Parliament session view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 20, 2025, 15:16 IST News explainers Opposition Slams It, Tharoor Backs It: What The 'Bill To Remove PM, CMs' Really Proposes Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
