New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): —The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launched a sharp offensive against the Congress party on Monday, claiming that its opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment bill stems from a “sense of entitlement” to indulge in corruption. The contested legislation mandates the automatic removal of prime ministers, chief ministers, and ministers if they remain in judicial custody for 30 consecutive days in connection with serious criminal offences. The ruling party’s reaction follows statements from Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, who declared that his party would vehemently oppose the bill, characterizing it as a tool designed for the political harassment of political adversaries.
Defending the proposed law, BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla asserted that the legislation aims to establish uniform accountability standards for individuals holding high executive offices. Poonawalla criticized opposition leaders for adopting double standards, pointing out that political figures who previously demanded resignations based on mere allegations are now refusing to step down even after being jailed by courts. He directly referenced former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal as an example, questioning whether it is administratively viable or ethically sound for an elected executive to govern from a prison cell.
Making a case for equity between public officials and ordinary citizens, the BJP spokesperson noted that a common citizen is immediately suspended from employment upon entering jail, arguing against separate legal privileges for politicians. Poonawalla urged opposition parties to refrain from outright resistance and wait for the recommendations of the Joint Committee of Parliament, which is currently examining the related bills. Parliamentary sources indicate that the panel is expected to adopt its report on July 17 and formally submit it to the Lok Sabha during the upcoming Monsoon Session.
