BJD and YSRCP pledge support for the Delhi services bill set to pass.

New Delhi: The Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which aims to empower the Centre to control bureaucracy in Delhi, has received crucial support from two influential regional parties, YSR Congress and BJD. The bill, introduced to replace the ordinance promulgated in May, had faced challenges in the Rajya Sabha due to the ruling party’s lack of numbers. However, with the support of YSR Congress and BJD, the bill is set to be passed in Parliament. The Lok Sabha had already shown support for the bill due to BJP’s majority.

★YSR Congress Party functionary V Vijaysai Reddy stated that they would vote in favor of the government on the Delhi bill.
★BJD issued a whip to its members, asking them to support the bill and oppose the no-confidence motion moved by opposition parties.

★YSR Congress’ stand on the no-confidence motion is yet to be decided, with party leader V Vijaysai Reddy stating that the decision would be taken by their leader and Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy.

★The government has always appeared confident about mustering enough support for the bill.
★Home Minister Amit Shah defended the bill, stating that it was not illegal and had constitutional basis. He emphasized that Parliament has the power to make laws for Delhi.
★BJD’s leader in the Lok Sabha, Pinaki Misra, quoted the Supreme Court verdict to support the government’s position.
★The opposition argued that Parliament lacks legislative competence on the bill and demanded that the government be disallowed from tabling it.

★The entire opposition camp vociferously opposed the introduction of the bill, claiming that it infringes on the powers of the state and weakens democracy.
★Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called the bill an “outrageous infringement” on the powers of the state.
★RSP MP NK Premchandran questioned the legislative competence of the government in tabling the bill, stating that it goes against the principles of federalism.
★Several other opposition MPs from different parties voiced similar concerns about the bill.

★With the support of YSR Congress and BJD, the Government of NCT of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 is expected to pass in Parliament.
★The bill has faced opposition from various regional parties and the entire opposition camp, who argue that it violates the principle of federalism and undermines the powers of the state.