Fewer NDA MPs help Congress win

In a major embarrassment for the Narendra Modi government in Rajya Sabha an amendment moved by the Opposition Congress to the Constitution 123rd Amendment Bill 2017, granting Constitutional status to the OBC Commission, was passed because of thin strength of ruling NDA MPs in the House.

The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, providing for setting up of a National Commission for Backward Classes, was passed after dropping Clause 3, to which four amendments was approved by the House earlier.

The dropped clause pertains to the insertion of a new Article 338 B about the Constitution and powers of the National Commission for Backward Classes.

The amended bill will now have to be returned to the Lok Sabha for its fresh approval. The Lower House had already passed the bill but in the Upper House it had been referred to a Select Committee as the Opposition had wanted more scrutiny.

The Rajya Sabha on Monday took up the Constituent amendment bill, whose passage requires two-third majority of those present and voting in the 245-member House. While the clauses of the bill were being put to vote, Congress members Digvijaya Singh, B.K. Hariprasad and Hussain Dalvai moved a number of amendments to clause 3.

Minister for social justice Thawar Chand Gehlot said the suggestions proposed through the amendments would be kept in mind while framing the rules. However, Mr Digvijay pressed for division of votes, saying “they (government) are jumla politics people” and could not be trusted.

Subsequently, the amendments were passed by 74 to 52 votes, causing an embarrassment for the ruling side which has a strength of 89, if JD(U)’s 10 members are also counted with them.