In a major blow for the Centre, YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed regret over supporting the 2023 legislation for appointment election commissioners. New Delhi: The Modi government’s arithmetic for a potential special session of Parliament has been thrown into disarray.
Kharge presses for an all-party meeting
The Monsoon Session of Parliament ended on August 13, but the formal prorogation of both Houses had not taken place even by October 19. Jagan has said the YSRCP made a mistake by supporting the 2023 law governing the appointment of the chief election commissioner and other two commissioners. In his October 16 letter, he said that 64 days had passed since the session ended and urged the government to hold an all-party meeting before bringing back legislation on delimitation.
Because the YSRCP has supported several government bills in Parliament in the past, the statement has political significance. The government has not announced a date for any special session. The delay has kept speculation alive about a possible special sitting to consider a law on delimitation and women’s reservation. The party had also backed the government’s proposed law on delimitation and women’s reservation. Jagan’s criticism now puts the party’s position on election-related legislation in doubt. His comments also come during a dispute with the Telugu Desam Party-led government in Andhra Pradesh. The YSRCP has refused to participate in the Punganur municipal corporation election, alleging a lack of transparency and inadequate security for its candidate. The party has cited these allegations as reasons for its decision. The YSRCP and the DMK have different political interests, but their criticism of the election machinery could complicate efforts to secure support for legislation that requires votes beyond the ruling coalition’s strength. Constitutional amendment bills require a special majority in each House, making support from parties outside the government particularly important. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, who is also leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the delay in proroguing the Monsoon Session.
The amendment replaced the earlier selection process involving the prime minister, the leader of the Opposition and the chief justice of India with a committee comprising the prime minister, a Union minister nominated by him and the leader of the Opposition.
