The Congress party is likely to stay away from the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) set up to examine three controversial Bills concerning the removal of top government officials arrested for 30 consecutive days on serious charges. Party sources confirmed this decision on Monday and indicated that it will be officially communicated to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla soon.
In addition to Congress, at least three other opposition parties—Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Aam Aadmi Party—have already announced their non-participation in the committee. The Samajwadi Party has also expressed support for a united opposition boycott. While a few other parties have yet to declare their stance, none have shown any intent to join the committee.
The Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla noted earlier this month that no political party has officially informed him regarding a boycott of the JPC.
“On the issue of JPC, no political party has communicated to me in writing on this subject,” Birla stated to reporters.
The backdrop of this development includes three Bills presented by Home Minister Amit Shah on the final day of the Monsoon Session in the Lok Sabha:
- The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill
- The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill
- The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill
These proposed legislations empower the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers if they are arrested for 30 consecutive days on serious charges.
The introduction of these Bills has led to fierce protests from various opposition parties, who decry them as unconstitutional and politically motivated, aimed primarily at targeting opposition leaders across several states.
The House has previously referred these Bills for scrutiny by a joint committee of Parliament. The committee is proposed to consist of 21 members from the Lok Sabha and 10 from the Rajya Sabha, but it has yet to be established.
