3 weeks ago
Clock Ticking on Monsoon Session as Delimitation Bill Deadlock Continues
In India, the people who make laws in parliament are having a big disagreement.
The fight is about two rules, called bills, that the government wants to make.
One bill decides how many representatives each region gets, and the other controls foreign money given to groups.
The trouble began after police stopped a student protest in Delhi.
Many leaders in the opposition are upset about that.
The opposition wants the bills thrown away completely.
The government says it has enough votes to pass them.
The Speaker, who runs the parliament meetings, is trying to help both sides find an agreement.
Only three days of meetings are left before a break.
If they cannot agree, a special meeting may be called later.
The monsoon session has three days remaining with no resolution to the parliamentary deadlock over the Delimitation and FCRA bills.
The government acceded to the Opposition's demand for a discussion and a response from Home Minister Amit Shah on the police action against students marching to Parliament House.
Congress leader KC Venugopal said the Speaker proposed referring the bills to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, but Congress rejected this and demanded their complete withdrawal.
Sources said the government may amend the FCRA bill to win DMK support for the Delimitation bill, and the option of tabling both bills remains open.
Government sources said a two-thirds majority has been secured for the constitutional amendments, with a special session possible if the bills are not passed within two days.
- Who
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the Lok Sabha Speaker, and opposition parties including Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK and NCP.
- What
- A parliamentary deadlock over the Delimitation and FCRA bills amid uproar over the police crackdown on a student protest in Delhi.
- Where
- The Indian Parliament in New Delhi, including its Business Advisory Committee meeting.
- When
- The monsoon session began on July 20 and has seen 16 days of disruption, with three days remaining; the FCRA bill may be listed on August 12.
- Why
- The Opposition demands discussion of the police action and complete withdrawal of the bills, while the government seeks to pass the Delimitation bill and alleges the Opposition is stalling.
Opposition Parties
Government (Centre)
Police action on student protest
Opposition Parties
The Opposition demanded a discussion and a response from Home Minister Amit Shah on the police crackdown against students marching to Parliament House on July 20.
Government (Centre)
The government agreed to the discussion, saying Amit Shah will address every point if the Opposition is willing to listen, while alleging the Opposition is raising issues to create a deadlock.
Fate of the Delimitation and FCRA bills
Opposition Parties
Congress demands complete withdrawal of the bills and rejected the Speaker's proposal to refer them to a Joint Parliamentary Committee; the DMK also opposes the FCRA bill.
Government (Centre)
The government keeps the option open to table both bills in the remaining three days, is open to a 'give-and-take' with the DMK and Congress, and sources say it holds the two-thirds majority needed to pass them.
Cause of the parliamentary deadlock
Opposition Parties
The Opposition insists on discussing the police action and other issues; the Samajwadi Party separately demanded a discussion on the theft of offerings at the Ram Mandir with a response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Government (Centre)
Government sources allege the Opposition intends to stall the Delimitation bill by raising a succession of issues and questioned why it refused the Home Minister's proposal to discuss the matter in the House.
Key facts
- Bills at centre of deadlock
- FCRA Amendment Bill and Constitution Amendment Bill on Delimitation
- Monsoon session start
- July 20
- Days of parliamentary uproar
- 16
- Days remaining in session
- 3
- Trigger of deadlock
- Police crackdown on students' march towards Parliament House on July 20
- Congress demand
- Complete withdrawal of the bills; rejected proposal to refer them to a Joint Parliamentary Committee
- Planned FCRA bill listing
- August 12, according to the Mizoram Chief Minister after a meeting with Amit Shah
- Government's stated numbers
- Two-thirds majority secured for delimitation and women's reservation constitutional amendments
Sources
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