After Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha Passes Bill To Expand Delhi Lieutenant Governor's Power

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (GNCTD) was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday (24 March) even as pandemonium prevailed.

Members of the Trinamool Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Congress, among many other leaders of the opposition, raised slogans against the legislation.

Before this, the Bill, which gives more constitutional powers to the Lieutenant Governor as against the Delhi Assembly, had been passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday (22 March).

The bill also makes it mandatory for the Delhi government to take the opinion of the L-G before any executive action.

The discussions on the new legislation led to heated arguments and sparks flying in the Upper House a number of times on Wednesday.

Soon after the passage of the bill, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that it was a "sad day" for democracy and stressed that his struggle to restore power back to the people would continue, reports Times of India.

Members of the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress raised slogans against the legislation, with

Because of the ruckus, while replying to a debate on the Finance Bill 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had to cut short her address.

During the debate on the Bill, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party leaders were constantly commenting on him and that this was against the rules of the House.

Accusing the central government of arbitrariness, O'Brien said the Bill went against the spirit of the federal structure of the nation.

Reacting to the persistent allegations of O'Brien, BJP national president and Rajya Sabha MP J P Nadda stood up and accused the Trinamool of displaying double standards.

(With inputs from IANS)