New Delhi (SunstarTV Bureau): The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (GNCTD) was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday even as pandemonium prevailed.
Members of the Trinamool Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, among many other leaders of the opposition, raised slogans against the legislation.
Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha member of Odisha’s ruling BJD Prasanna Acharya staged a walkout.
“My party has decided not to become a party to passing of this Bill. It undermines authority & power of an elected govt of an elected Assembly. Without lowering dignity of the House, we are peacefully staging a walkout,” said BJD MP Prasanna Acharya.
Congress and YSRCP also walked out of Rajya Sabha while voting on the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was underway in the House.
Before this, the Bill had been passed in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The discussions on the new legislation — which gives enormous powers to the Lieutenant Governor in Delhi — led to heated arguments and sparks flying in the Upper House a number of times on Wednesday.
Members of the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress raised slogans against it.
Because of the ruckus, while replying to a debate on the Finance Bill 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had to cut short her address.
During the debate on the Bill, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were constantly commenting on him and that this was against the rules of the House.
Accusing the central government of arbitrariness, O’Brien said the Bill went against the spirit of the federal structure of the nation.
Reacting to the persistent allegations of O’Brien, BJP national president and Rajya Sabha MP J.P. Nadda stood up and accused the Trinamool of displaying double standards.
“BJP isn’t one of those players who blame umpire when they begin to lose. He (TMC MP Derek O’Brien) asked that we should have free and fair elections. As BJP chief, I say it with full responsibility that we’ve never questioned EC’s decision,” said Nadda in Rajya Sabha.
“We have always accepted its credibility. We are not one of those who blame the EVM when they lose or one of those who are emperors when they win. Today they are scared, coming events cast their shadows,” he added.
(Sources: IANS)
