The Rajya Sabha today cleared the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021, through a voice vote in the absence of Opposition members, who staged a walkout in protest against the government not heeding to their demand of referring the Bill to the select committee for scrutiny and wider consultations.
The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill.
“This government is rigid and is pressing ahead with the Bill. Hence, we are walking out,” Leader of the Opposition in the House Mallikarjun Kharge said after the discussion on the Bill was completed.
Earlier, the House witnessed heated exchanges between Opposition and ruling party members.
The SAD, TDP, YSRCC, BJD, TMC, RJD and AAP were among the regional parties that opposed the Bill during the discussion, saying it encroached upon powers of the state governments and was against federalism.
Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy tried to allay Opposition members’ apprehension that the Bill would make irrelevant the elected government in the NCT Delhi.
New Delhi: Soon after the passage of the GNCTD Bill, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said it was a sad day for democracy. “The RS passes GNCTD Bill. We will continue our struggle to restore power back to people. Whatever be the obstacles, we will continue doing good work. Work will neither stop nor slow down,” he added.