New Delhi: In a fiery session at the Lok Sabha, the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, and the Leader of Opposition, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, engaged in a spirited debate over the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
The Bill seeks to override a recent Supreme Court order that granted more powers to the Delhi government over services in the national capital.
Defending the Bill, Amit Shah cited the views of India's founding fathers, including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, C Rajagopalachari, Rajendra Prasad, and BR Ambedkar, who opposed granting full state status to Delhi. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a senior Congress leader, responded with a touch of humour, expressing surprise at Shah's praise for Nehru and the Congress party.
Amidst light-hearted banter, Amit Shah clarified that he merely quoted Nehru's words and did not offer any praise. However, Chowdhury continued to assert that the ruling party selectively invokes Nehru's name when convenient.
He accused them of using the former PM's legacy opportunistically and criticized their handling of issues like the Manipur ethnic conflict and communal clashes in Haryana's Nuh area.
The contentious Bill was introduced by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, amid protests from the Opposition. The Centre had promulgated the ordinance after the Supreme Court's landmark judgment, which granted more powers to the Delhi government, causing concern for the ruling party.
Amit Shah addressed the concerns by highlighting the Constitution's provisions that allow the Centre to make laws for Delhi. He urged all parties not to support corruption in Delhi just because they are in an alliance, asserting that PM Modi would secure a majority in the elections despite any political affiliations.
The Bill's main objective is to address issues related to the control of bureaucrats in the national capital. While the ruling party sees it as necessary to prevent misuse of power and corruption, the Opposition views it as an encroachment on Delhi's autonomy and a violation of the Supreme Court's ruling.