August 2, 2023
The Lok Sabha witnessed heated debates and disruptions during the Monsoon session as the Delhi Services Bill, aimed at replacing the Centre’s control over Delhi’s bureaucrats, was brought for consideration and passage. Home Minister Amit Shah introduced the bill, with the YSR Congress likely to support it. However, opposition parties, including Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Saugata Roy, NK Premachandran, Sushil Kumar Rinku, and Asaduddin Owaisi, opposed the government’s move and are expected to move a resolution against the ordinance.
In the midst of the uproarious scenes, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla took a stand and decided not to chair the Lower House until MPs behave according to the dignity of the House.
Meanwhile, in the Rajya Sabha, AAP MP Sanjay Singh expressed confidence that the bill would not survive and would be opposed by all members of the opposition bloc “INDIA.”
Adding to the tension, AAP’s Saurabh Bharadwaj warned the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and YSRCP, who supported the Centre on the Delhi Services Bill, about the BJP’s potential to topple governments in states they rule.
On a related note, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with senior Union ministers to discuss the government’s strategy in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon session.
The situation escalated to the point that the Lok Sabha session was adjourned until the next day due to the prevailing ruckus.
The debate over the Delhi Services Bill has evoked strong reactions from various political parties, with some stressing the importance of preserving the federal structure and others expressing concerns over the ordinance’s implications. As the situation remains tense, both houses of Parliament are closely monitoring the developments surrounding the bill.
