All Opposition Parties To Support Constitution Amendment Bill 2021 In Parliament: Mallikarjun Kharge

Mumbai: The opposition on Monday decided it would “cooperate” with the Narendra Modi government to approve a constitutional amendment that aims to restore states’ power to identify backward castes. The bill will come up for passage in the Lok Sabha today.

In a meeting held at the office of Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge here, various parties talked about the crucial bill while trying to finalize their strategy for the rest of the session.

While two sides were consistently in favour of the opposition, the other was of the opinion that the constitutional amendment should be approved as it empowers the states on a very sensitive subject.

“We decided that we will allow and cooperate for the passage of the Constitution amendment bill. On all other issues, our protest will continue,” said CPIM’s Elamaram Kareem, one of the leaders present in the meeting.

The 127th Constitution Amendment Bill 2021 aims to set aside the Supreme Court’s May 2021 decision that only the Center can notify Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBCs) – not the states.

The apex court’s decision triggered protests by state governments and another backward caste (OBC) groups. The bill comes ahead of crucial elections in five states early next year.

The opposition’s support to the bill is significant as a constitutional amendment requires the presence of two-thirds of the lawmakers with at least 50% attendance during the proceedings.

So far, the monsoon session of Parliament, which began on July 19, has been rocked by frequent protests and disruptions. Both Houses have seen Opposition lawmakers troop to the Well, hold placards and shout slogans against the government over their demand to discuss the Pegasus row, the three farm laws and rising fuel prices.

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