TMC Protests 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, Calls JPC a Spectacle. Party will not participate in the committee until the report is presented in the Winter Session. Opposition unity strengthened.
New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has made its opposition clear regarding the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill and other related bills. The party has called the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) a "spectacle," stating that it will not nominate any members to it. The TMC says it has opposed the bill since its introduction and that the JPC is merely a show.
The party's stance is based on the belief that the bill is politically sensitive and would provide a legal framework for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers if they are detained for 30 consecutive days. The TMC's position signals that the opposition is united against the proposed bill and will not allow it to pass easily in Parliament.
Which Bills are Included?
The bills recently introduced in the Lok Sabha include:
- Union Territory Government (Amendment) Bill 2025
- Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill 2025
- Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill 2025
These bills have been sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee so that their provisions and legal framework can be considered. The committee has been instructed to submit its report to the House during the Winter Session, which is likely to be held in the third week of November.
Strong Opposition from Opposition Parties
During the Monsoon Session, opposition parties bly opposed the bills. In addition to the TMC, several other opposition parties have also described the bill as being against the democratic process. TMC leader Derek O'Brien said that the Centre adopted a defensive posture during the Monsoon Session and took several measures to disrupt proceedings.
In a statement shared on social media platform 'X,' O'Brien said that the Modi coalition appeared weak throughout the session. He alleged that the Vice President remained absent and the BJP has yet to find a new national president. He also mentioned voting scams and other political pressures.
Reason for Calling the JPC a Spectacle
The TMC has termed the Joint Parliamentary Committee a "spectacle," describing it as merely a formality. The party believes that participating in the committee will not allow them to have a real impact on the legal and political aspects of the bill.
The TMC's decision makes it clear that the opposition is united on the bill, and the government will face difficulty in getting it passed in the Winter Session. The party's stance is also a message to citizens and supporters that the bill is against democratic values.
Purpose of the Bills
The 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill and related bills provide a legal framework for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers in the event of arrest. According to the proposed provisions, if a minister or chief minister is proven to be charged for 30 consecutive days, the process of removing them from office may begin.
The government believes that this bill will strengthen political accountability. However, the opposition sees it as an abuse of power and interference in the democratic process. The TMC says that participating in the JPC does not legitimize the process and is only a political show.
What Will Happen in the Winter Session
The JPC has been instructed to submit its report to the House during the Winter Session. The bills will be discussed in Parliament based on this report. Due to the non-participation of the TMC and other opposition parties, the government may face difficulty in getting these bills passed. The Winter Session is likely to be held in the third week of November. During this time, legal scrutiny of the bills, political debates, and opposition protests will be major topics.
