BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi likely to chair joint panel on bill to remove PM, CMs arrested on serious charges

Kohima, Nov 10 (PTI) BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi is likely to chair the Joint Committee of Parliament to examine bills to remove the prime minister, chief ministers and Union/state cabinet ministers, if they are arrested or detained for 30 days straight on serious charges.

With key opposition parties announcing a boycott of the committee, the panel is likely to be packed with parliamentarians from the ruling NDA alliance.

From outside the alliance, NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule, Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and nominated member Sudha Murthy are expected to be part of the 31-member Committee.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said he has been striving to ensure all parties are represented in the proposed panel.

Addressing a press conference here, the Lok Sabha Speaker said parliamentary panels should not be viewed through the prism of politics, as these committees discuss issues rising above political lines.

"We are making efforts to ensure all political parties are represented in the committee," Birla told reporters here.

The panel is expected to be constituted soon.

Several opposition parties, such as the Congress and Trinamool Congress, have decided not to be part of the Joint Committee of Parliament to examine the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill. BJD and BRS are also unlikely to be part of the committee.

This constitution amendment bill and two other proposed legislations were introduced on the last day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on August 20. A motion was adopted by the Lok Sabha to refer the three bills to a joint committee of parliament.

Breaking ranks with other opposition parties, NCP-SP decided to be part of the 31-member committee. The YRSCP, too, is expected to be a part of it.

"These committees are like mini-parliament as members discuss issues rising above political lines. These should not be viewed from the prism of politics; we are trying to ensure participation of all political parties," Birla told reporters when questioned on the delay in setting up the panel.

Opposition leaders argue that the Bills violate the fundamental principle of law of a person being innocent until proven guilty and resort to automatic sacking of the prime minister, chief ministers and ministers if they fail to get bail within a month of arrest in serious criminal matters.

The government contends that the draft law was necessary as Arvind Kejriwal refused to quit as Delhi chief minister despite his arrest in a criminal case.

The Lok Sabha Speaker is in Kohima to preside over the 22nd annual Commonwealth Parliamentary Association India Region Zone III Conference. PTI SKU NAB AMJ AMJ