130th Constitution Amendment Bill JPC likely to have 26 NDA and 4 opposition MPs

New Delhi: A parliamentary panel to examine the contentious bill - on removal of prime minister, chief ministers and Union ministers involved in serious criminal cases - is set to be constituted soon with more than three-fourth of total 31 members from ruling NDA.

Only four members from the Opposition side, including one each from NCP(SP), AIMIM, SAD and YSRCP will be part of the panel. Another nominated MP Sudha Murthy will also be part of it. Besides 18 BJP members, one member each from NDA's eight allies, will also be part of it.

Other than major Opposition parties, including Congress and Trinamool which have decided not to be part of the committee, several non-NDA and non-INDIA bloc members like BJD and BRS are also unlikely to be its part.


The 31-member committee is set to be notified soon with ruling BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi likely to head it. Supriya Sule from NCP(SCP), Asaduddin Owaisi from AIMIM, Harsimrat Badal from SAD will be part of the panel from the Opposition side, along with YSRCP's Niranjan Reddy.

Talking to reporters in Kohima on Monday on the sidelines of an event, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he has been making efforts to ensure representation of all political parties on JPC to examine the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill. "These committees are like mini-Parliament as members discuss issues rising above political lines. These should not be viewed from the prism of politics and we are trying to ensure participation of all political parties," he said when asked about the delay in the constitution of the committee.

The 130th Constitution Amendment Bill seeks to remove prime minister, chief ministers and Union ministers from office if they fail to get bail after a month of arrest in serious criminal matters.

WINTER SESSION

Talking about the winter session of Parliament, Birla said planned disruptions of House proceedings do not rank among good practices. Asked about the shorter duration of the session, Birla said convening a session of Parliament was the prerogative of the government and the duration depends on official agenda.