Opposition party INDIA has announced its decision to pause its protest over the Manipur issue in the Rajya Sabha when the Bill to replace a contentious ordinance is brought up for discussion. However, the party will not do the same in the Lok Sabha, where it is pushing for a no-confidence motion against the Narendra Modi government to be taken up before any other substantive business.
The government has announced its intention to bring The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 next week in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, despite the ongoing protests by the Opposition seeking a statement from Prime Minister Modi and an immediate discussion on the Manipur issue.
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With the support of the YSR Congress, the ruling BJP is in a stronger position in the Rajya Sabha. In contrast, the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. is trying to ensure that all its MPs, including ailing former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, JD(U)’s Bashisht Narayan Singh, and JMM’s Shibu Soren, are present. In the Lok Sabha, the BJP is expected to have an easy majority.
The positions of parties like BJD, BSP, and JD(S) on the Bill have not been clarified yet. The Opposition is likely to have 102 votes, with two of its MPs suspended, and one from NCP changing sides. The government is expected to have 121 votes as of now.
The Opposition has also urged the government not to surprise them by bringing a supplementary list of business just minutes before taking up the bill in Parliament. Two senior MPs have requested the Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal, not to resort to this method, and sources claim that he promised to inform the Opposition in advance.
Additionally, I.N.D.I.A. has written to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, urging him to ensure that MPs have enough time to prepare for the debate on the Bill. The party expressed concerns that if the Bill is brought up suddenly without advance notice, MPs with serious medical conditions may not have enough time to be present in the Upper House on that day.
