-Party defends 138th Constitutional Amendment Bill as a step towards accountability and clean governance
New Delhi, Aug 25 (HS): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday accused the opposition of attempting to “criminalise politics” by opposing the 138th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to strengthen accountability in governance.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters, party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said while the country at large is welcoming the legislation tabled by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, a section of the opposition is resisting it.
Poonawalla stressed that the bill aims to root out corruption and criminal elements in politics. Under its provisions, any executive office-bearer—including the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, or Union Ministers—who faces serious criminal charges and remains in custody for 30 days without relief would automatically cease to hold office. “This demonstrates the government’s commitment to fairness and clean politics,” he said.
Hitting out at the opposition, Poonawalla remarked that their opposition reveals a greater interest in clinging to power rather than ensuring integrity and transparency. He criticised the Congress for siding with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which, he alleged, ran a government from Tihar Jail for 150 days. “Is it practical for a Chief Minister to hold meetings from inside jail? Where will public hearings take place — inside prison cells?” he asked.
He added that some opposition leaders are even boycotting the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) formed to review the bill, which in his words shows their disregard for ethical governance. “When the entire country is hailing this measure as a weapon for morality and good governance, a handful of opposition leaders stand exposed as working against accountability,” Poonawalla asserted.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
