INDIA bloc divided over JPC on bills to remove jailed ministers

Opposition INDIA bloc parties, who have jointly opposed the three bills stipulating removal of the PM, chief ministers and ministers jailed for a minimum of 30 days, have now emerged divided on the question of joining the joint parliamentary committee (JPC) that will scrutinise these bills.

While the Congress leadership, it is learnt, is in favour of joining the panel as it feels it is important to record the party's and the larger Opposition's critique during the JPC scrutiny, Trinamool and SP have chosen to publicise their divergent view within the bloc by announcing to keep off the panel by calling it a "farce", something that Shiv Sena (UBT) is also contemplating. AAP, the on-and-off INDIA bloc ally, has also decided to skip JPC.

Trinamool-SP move is also being seen as the typical positioning of a non-Congress clique of regional parties after the INDIA bloc put up a unity show during the monsoon session following a year of divided existence. As the Left parties are in favour of joining JPC, Congress leaders are trying to talk to other allies such as DMK, NCP-SP, RJD and JMM to get them onboard as the party is wary that an Opposition boycott of JPC may make the proceedings a one-sided affair, even formally, but whether it can withstand the 'boycott JPC brigade' is being watched. Congress leaders also feel if the so-called neutral parties such as BJD, YSRCP and BRS join the panel, they will make use of the Opposition absence in the panel to place their views as that of the Opposition.

"We are inclined to join JPC even though we know the panel will be headed and dominated by BJP-led NDA members. The controversial three bills were tabled in a hurry and referred to JPC without any proper House debate. That makes JPC an important forum for the Opposition members to strongly air their critique of the proposals and thus help build a public opinion on it, and when required, submit a note of dissent when JPC submits its report to the Houses. The Opposition's dissent on the Waqf bill was even taken note by the Supreme Court. We are talking to our allies on the issue of joining the new JPC," a senior Congress leader said privately.

Terming the proposed JPC a "farce", a Trinamool statement said: "We oppose the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill at the stage of introduction, and in our view, JPC is a farce. Therefore, we are not nominating anyone from AITC."

SP campers said the party is in agreement with Trinamool. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said party leader Uddhav Thackeray was of the view that JPC won't serve any meaningful purpose. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said his party won't join JPC as it thinks the purpose of the bills is not to end corruption but to target Opposition leaders.