Government Prioritises Women’s Quota and Delimitation, Shelves Bill to Remove Tainted Ministers

The BJP-led Union government has decided to put on hold the Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill, which seeks to remove ministers arrested for serious offences for 30 consecutive days. According to sources, the government is focusing its efforts on securing a two-thirds majority for the Women’s Reservation law and the Delimitation Bill in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

The 130th Amendment Bill, introduced in 2025, proposes that a minister can be removed if they are accused of an offence punishable with five or more years of imprisonment and have been arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days. The removal would be directed by the President or Governor on the advice of the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, or automatically on the 31st day of detention.

A senior BJP MP confirmed that the party’s priority is to pass the women’s quota and delimitation legislation. “Securing a two-thirds majority for the women’s quota law and the delimitation Bill is the top priority as of now,” he said.

Opposition parties, including the DMK and NCP(SP), have conveyed to the government that they cannot support the 130th Amendment Bill. The Joint Committee of Parliament examining the bill was expected to adopt its report on Friday but deferred it. Sources in the NDA said even the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an ally, had reservations about some clauses.

In the committee meeting, chairperson and BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi agreed to wider consultations on contentious clauses. Opposition MPs, including AIMIM’s Asaduddin Owaisi, NCP(SP)’s Supriya Sule, and YSRCP’s Niranjan Reddy, were prepared to give a dissent note but dropped it after the committee offered broader discussions. However, most Opposition members, including the Congress, boycotted proceedings, arguing that the ruling party would override their concerns.

During committee deliberations, several members raised concerns about replacing the word “removal” with “suspension,” which they felt could dilute the bill’s purpose. The TDP supported the bill in principle, stating it could strengthen anti-corruption measures for high offices, but also called for safeguards against misuse.

The final report is expected to include recommendations to prevent misuse, such as curbs on the nature of crimes covered. However, ruling party members rejected opposition arguments that the bill is undemocratic, anti-federal, and violates natural justice by punishing based on custody rather than conviction.