The opposition parties Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party have issued whips to their legislators at the Rajya Sabha to be present in the Parliament on Monday till its adjournment as the Upper House will take up the Delhi services bill.
On August 4, Jairam Ramesh, the chief whip for the Congress in the Upper House, issued a three-line whip stating that "very important issues will be taken up for discussion in Rajya Sabha on Monday, i.e. August 7, 2023".
It reportedly said, "All members of Congress Party in Rajya Sabha are requested to kindly remain present in the House from 11 am onwards till the adjournment of the House on Monday, August 7, 2023, without fail and support the party stand." This may be treated as most important, Ramesh added.
"Be present positively in Rajya Sabha from 10:45 am onwards till the adjournment of the House on Monday i.e. August 7, 2023, and support the party stand, as important items of Legislative Business will be taken up for voting. Three-line whip in this regard has already been issued," said a reminder sent to the Congress MPs in Rajya Sabha.
Additionally, the AAP extended a whip to all of its MPs requesting that they attend the Rajya Sabha on Monday and Tuesday.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, has already been passed by Lok Sabha.
In May, the Central Government enacted the bill which quashed the Supreme Court ruling that gave the delhi government control over the "services" in the NCT administration.
The bill seeks to replace the ordinance on transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to move corresponding bill for consideration and passage in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties will make all-out efforts to thwart the government's move to pass the bill even as the numbers are stacked in favour of the NDA with BJD and YSRCP pledging their support to the government on the bill.
The ruling NDA has over 100 MPs in the Upper House, and the BJD and the YSRCP have also announced their support to the Bill. It is also likely to be backed by nominated members and some Independents in the 238-member strong House.
The 26-bloc INDIA alliance of opposition parties is hoping to thwart the bill in the House.
