The Hindu : National : Opposition under pressure from its own Governments

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 26, 2006

National

National

Opposition under pressure from its own Governments

Neena Vyas

BJP veering around to the idea that a law must be enacted quickly

NEW DELHI: The Opposition is under pressure from its own State Governments to support an amendment to the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 on office of profit with retrospective effect. It had petitioned President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam asking for disqualification of Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

The BJP had said it was against such a law, but now it is veering around to the idea that the law must be enacted quickly after convening Parliament. Although at the national level, the BJP is silent on the question of "retrospective effect," its State Government in Jharkhand let its position be known by enacting a law with "retrospective effect."

In Uttaranchal, such a Bill has been tabled amid noisy scenes. In Jharkhand, the BJP-led Government passed a similar legislation with retrospective effect through a voice vote amid chaos.

In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP Government faced the wrath of Congress legislators who demanded the Chief Minister's "disqualification" and resignation.

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