With the backing of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party, the Centre’s controversial bill for the control of services in Delhi is poised to sail through both houses of Parliament.
The YSR Congress Party commands a force of nine Rajya Sabha members and 22 Lok Sabha members and has often come to the rescue of the ruling BJP during critical affairs such as the Delhi ordinance and the no-confidence motion spearheaded by Opposition leaders on the Manipur issue.
Despite the BJP not having a majority in the Rajya Sabha, the hotly contested services bill, which has resulted in a relentless tug-of-war between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Centre, will likely face no hurdles in getting cleared in the Upper House, courtesy of the YSR Congress Party.
“We will vote in favour of the government on both issues," YSR Congress Party leader V Vijaysai Reddy said as reported by NDTV.
On Tuesday, the Union Cabinet gave its nod to the bill that will replace the ordinance promulgated for the creation of an authority for transfers and postings of Group-A officers in Delhi.
Centre negates SC judgement
The controversial Delhi ordinance was promulgated by the central government on May 19, a week after the Supreme Court handed over the control of services in Delhi excluding police, public order and land to the elected government headed by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
An ordinance is promulgated by the President on the recommendation of the Union Cabinet when the Parliament is not in session. It is mandatory for the Parliament to adopt a law to replace the ordinance within six weeks of the commencement of the next session.
Control of services
The ordinance facilitated the setting up of a National Capital Civil Service Authority for the transfer of and disciplinary proceedings against Group-A officers from the DANICS cadre.
Transfer and postings of all officers of the Delhi government were under the executive control of the lieutenant governor before the May 11 top court verdict.
Kejriwal's Aam Admi Party had reacted strongly against the ordinance saying the Centre had "deceived" the people of Delhi.
The Congress and several other Opposition parties have also come out against the ordinance.
Bid for unity
Kejriwal, along with party-ruled Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had visited most of the non-NDA-ruled states and met Opposition leaders seeking their support against the legislation.
"This is a deception committed with the Supreme Court and the people of Delhi who have chosen Kejriwal thrice as the chief minister."
"He doesn't have any powers but the LG, who has not even been chosen but forced upon people, will have powers and through him, the Centre will keep tabs on the work happening in Delhi. This is contempt of court," AAP chief spokesperson and Services Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had said.
