Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP will extend support to the contentious Delhi Services Bill in Rajya Sabha. It has also pledged to back the Centre on the Manipur issue. With nine members in the Rajya Sabha, YSCRP's support will help BJP steer clear of any resistance.
"We will vote in favor of the government on both issues," YSR Congress Party Leader V Vijaysai Reddy ascertained.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Ammendment) Bill, 2023 was listed among the 31 bills to be taken up in the Parliament's monsoon session. The bill aims to overturn Delhi's ordinance and vest power over its bureaucratic machinery with the Centre. It seeks to allow the Centre retain control over the bureaucracy in Delhi while deposing the state's elected government from the position of authority.
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The bill started a rift between the Aam Admi Party(AAP) government in Delhi and the Centre. Delhi CM Kejriwal lobbied for support and joined forces with Congress, Trinamool Congress, DMK, RJD and KCR-led Bharat Rashtra Samithi, to stand against the bill. Nevertheless, considering the NDA Government's majority in Lok Sabha, passing the bill was viewed as a challenge only in the Rajya Sabha.
“We would have backed them if Delhi was a full-fledged state. In this case, it is not a full state and there are many areas which lie with the government.’’ said Andhra's CM Reddy. While YSRCP's vote to the Centre came as a major shock to the Opposition alliance, the centre heaved a sigh of relief. Out of the 237 members of Parliament who will have a vote, the NDA has secured a majority of 123 votes against the anticipated 108 votes from the opposition. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, July 31st.
