TMC differs with opposition over joining JPC on bills to sack PM, CMs

NEW DELHI: After the united outrage by opposition against the Constitution amendment bill that provides for automatic sacking of ministers and CMs jailed for 30 days, INDIA bloc is forced to wait to nominate MPs to the parliamentary panel to scrutinise the legislation in view of Trinamool Congress 's reluctance to join it.

Sources said TMC was pushing for boycott of the JPC , but the rest of the opposition wanted to be on the panel to ensure that Modi government did not get a free run on "the weapon to target the opposition-ruled states".

Congress, which is sure to get 4-5 seats on the panel, and allies are waiting for TMC to convey a final decision, sources said, adding that DMK and SP, too, have conveyed their willingness.

The issue flared up at an INDIA bloc meeting Wednesday, when the three bills tabled by home minister Amit Shah triggered a fracas in Lok Sabha. A senior TMC neta advocated that the opposition should stay away from the JPC. But the argument was countered by a smaller party member who said that JPC was the only platform where the opposition could make an alternative case and even register dissent. The Trinamool member underlined that govt ultimately has its way, like in the JPC on Waqf bill. However, in response, it was pointed out that the JPC proceedings served a big purpose as Supreme Court mentioned them in its hearings on the challenge to the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

While the opposition managed to stay united in the monsoon session, the three bills presented on the penultimate day created some fissures. INDIA decided to join the discussion at the "introduction stage" to oppose its tabling by painting it as a BJP weapon against rivals, but TMC said upfront that it was under directions to protest from the word go.