'Unconstitutional...Anti-Democratic': Opposition As Amit Shah Moves Delhi Services Bill In Rajya Sabha

The Opposition issued whips to its MPs for a 100 per cent attendance to ensure its full strength at the Parliament. The INDIA bloc had affirmed that it will make all-out efforts to thwart the government’s move in Rajya Sabha.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 7 August 2023 10:07 am

Delhi minister and AAP leader Raghav Chadha

Rajya Sabha witnessed an uproar on Monday as Union home minister Amit Shah moved the Delhi Services bill (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023) that seeks to withdraw the Delhi government’s control over the postings and transfers of bureaucrats in the national capital and hand it over to the Lieutenant Governor. Vehemently opposing it, Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha said that passing of the bill meant disrespecting the Supreme Court's authority.

The AAP MP added that the Centre is reacting to the fact that "BJP could not win Delhi for the last 25 years". "BJP lost 6 state elections, even 2015 and 2020. They know they can't any win elections even in the next 25 years," he lambasted.

VIDEO | "Delhi services bill is a political fraud, constitutional sin and will create an administrative logjam," says AAP MP @raghav_chadha during the discussion on Delhi services bill in Rajya Sabha.

(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/QqACuEoQUd
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 7, 2023

“BJP's approach is to control by hook or crook…this bill is completely unconstitutional, it is fundamentally anti-democratic, and it is a front-term assault on the regional voice and aspirations of the people of Delhi. It violates all principles of federalism, all norms of civil service accountability and all models of assembly-based democracy,” said Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi in Rajya Sabha.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Dr Sudhanshu Trivedi highlighted the Supreme Court order, saying it was not mentioned in the verdict that the Centre cannot pass a law on the issue. "In the Supreme Court verdict of 105 pages, nowhere it is mentioned anything against passing a law on Delhi…In the Supreme Court order, in paragraphs 86, 95 and 164 F, it is mentioned that the Parliament has all the rights to form a law for Delhi," he told the Upper House.

Also Read: How Centre Tweaked Delhi Services Bill

Earlier today, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress issued whips to their MPs asking them to be present in the Upper House till its adjournment. The Opposition intends to have 100 per cent attendance to ensure its full strength at the Parliament. The bill has already been passed by Lok Sabha. The INDIA bloc had affirmed that it will make all-out efforts to thwart the government’s move in the Upper House.

Notably, the ruling NDA has over 100 MPs in Rajya Sabha, and the BJD and the YSRCP have also announced their support for the Bill. It is also likely to be backed by nominated members and some Independents in the 238-member strong House.

Speaking at a press conference, Delhi minister Atishi said that the government was trying to “snatch the power” from an elected government because they will be unable to win the upcoming election. "The BJP had lost twice in Delhi and they know they can't win in the upcoming elections. So now they want to snatch the power of an elected government," she said.

Gujarat AAP leader Isudan Gadhvi also resonated the same while speaking to reporters. "Attempts are being made to attack Delhi government through the LG as people of Delhi have not allowed the BJP to come to power for 25 years," he told PTI.

The Delhi services bill was first introduced in May when the Centre promulgated an ordinance to create the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre, which effectively undid a Supreme Court order earlier that month that gave control of the Delhi’s bureaucracy to the elected government in all matters except policing, public order, and land.