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Journalism of Courage
A day after Lok Sabha passed the much-talked-about Office-of-profit Bill, the West Bengal government today sent a reply to the Election Commission providing 8216;8216;additional information8217;8217; on the petitions against the 10 CPIM MPs, including Speaker Somnath Chatterjee. But by the time EC received the reply, the Bill was already sent to President Kalam for his assent.
With the President returning the controversial Bill to Parliament on May 31 for reconsideration, the EC wrote to the West Bengal Government twice to get the information. In fact, the Commission had to issue threats of sending summons to the state government, if it failed to part with the information. A July 31 deadline was given. But, on the same day Lok Sabha voted on the Bill. It was re-passed by Rajya Sabha earlier without any changes.
The Bill seeks to exempt 56 posts and gives reprieve to over 40 MPs who could have faced disqualification. This was for the first time in 58 years that the President has invoked Article 111 of the Constitution.
Once President Kalam gives his consent to the Bill the four-month-long political drama, that began with Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Bachchan8217;s disqualification and Sonia Gandhis8217;s resignation from the Lok Sabha and as chairman of National Advisory Council, would come to an end.
Opposition BJP forced a division on the Bill in the Lower House, but was defeated by 230 votes to 71.
Bill sent back to Kalam
NEW DELHI: THE controversial Office-of-profit Bill, which was passed by Parliament amid stiff Opposition resistance, was on Tuesday sent to the President for his assent. Two months ago President A P J Abdul Kalam had returned the Bill to Parliament for reconsideration.
