by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group
Govt. Determined to pass Triple Talaq Bill
Trying to muster numbers in Rajya Sabha
JD (U) to Oppose it tooth & Nail
Harish Gupta
New Delhi, July 12
Irrespective of the cautioning by some saner voices in the NDA that the contentious Triple Talaq bill should not be pushed in the current Monsoon session of Parliament, the hawks in the ruling BJP are determined to push for the same.
Informed sources say that the BJP leadership is determined to ensure the passage of the fresh Triple Talaq Bill in this session itself. The debates on the Motion of Thanks on President's Address, Union Budget and a couple of ministries will be over by the middle of next week. At least 10 bills have been passed by the Lok Sabha so far and remaining agenda will also be achieved.
Sources in the government say that there is no move to repeal the Article 370 or revoke 35A is on the cards in the near future. But the government won't compromise on its commitment to pass the Triple Talaq merely because its major ally, Janata Dal (U) is opposed to it.
A senior Cabinet minister who is dealing with the issue in the government told Lokmat on the condition of not being quoted, “Its our commitment to pass the Triple Talaq Bill and we are duty bound after the massive mandate.”
No doubt, the BJP has enough numbers in the Lok Sabha for the smooth passage of the bill on its own without the support of its allies. The BJP has 303 MPs in the Lok Sabha in a house of 542 and doesn't need JD(U)'s 17 MPs. However, it will face huge problem in the Rajya Sabha where it has 76 MPs in the House of 244. It has the support of Shiv Sena (3), Akalis (3), Nominated (3) and Independents (4) taking the tally to 89. The JD (U) which has only six MPs in the Rajya Sabha, has made it clear to the BJP leadership that it will not support the Triple Talaq Bill in Parliament, rather it will vote against it if it was brought before the House. Ever since the BJP-JD(U) differences came to the surface over induction of into the Union Cabinet, the situation is worrisome. The JD(U) leadership refused to accept the proposal of sending its token representative in the Modi government and wanted proportionate representation.
Even the other BJP ally, the AIADMK which has 13 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, has signaled that it may stay away rather than support the bill.
Ends
