Article Today, New Delhi:
A new Bill introduced by the NDA government in Parliament has triggered sharp political uproar. The proposed law mandates removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, or Ministers if they spend 30-days in jail under serious charges. The Opposition has condemned it as a direct assault on democracy and a ploy to destabilise rival governments.
Bill Fuels Political Row
Union Home Minister Amit Shah tabled three major Bills in the Lok Sabha. Among them is the 130th Constitutional Amendment, which contains the contentious clause. It states that any holder of high office facing charges with punishment of five years or more will automatically lose the post if kept in prison for 30 days. Opposition parties see this as a weapon to target leaders through Central probe agencies.
Opposition Cries Foul
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi called the Bill a cruel and unconstitutional move. She argued that an accused cannot be punished before conviction. She warned that even a false case could send a Chief Minister to jail for 30 days and strip him of office. She said this undermines constitutional values and democratic spirit.
Allegations of Misuse
Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi accused the Centre of using the Bill to weaken rivals. He cited the arrest of former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case. Mr. Kejriwal was in jail for five months. Under the new rule, he would have lost office on the thirty-first day. Singhvi alleged that BJP-ruled states would never face such action, proving the double standards.
Past Cases Cited
The arrest of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case also came up in the debate. He continued as a Minister despite being in jail, leading to a clash between the Governor and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The matter went up to the Supreme Court, and Balaji eventually resigned. The Centre claims the new Bill will avoid such controversies. Yet, the Opposition insists it is nothing but a political tool.
Impact on Southern Leaders
Parties also pointed to the record of southern leaders. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu spent 53 days in jail in 2023. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had earlier spent more than 30 days in prison. YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was jailed for 16 months in the past. If the Bill had existed then, all would have lost their positions. Opposition leaders argue that the move is designed to cripple their political future.
Possible Boomerang for BJP
Analysts warn that the law could backfire on the BJP. The party is in power today, but it may sit in the Opposition tomorrow. If applied fairly, its own leaders could face the same consequences. Legal experts add that holding an accused guilty before trial contradicts constitutional principles. Even so, the government is pushing the Bill forward. It is likely to be referred to a Parliamentary committee, where heated debate is expected. The political fallout, however, is already widening.
