“Jayant Chaudhary had to attend his wife’s operation…”: RLD clarifies his absence from voting on Delhi Services Bill in RS

New Delhi [India]: Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) National spokesperson, Anil Dube on Tuesday clarified that the party chief Jayant Chaudhary was absent in the Rajya Sabha proceedings on the Delhi Services Bill yesterday as he had to attend his wife’s operation.

“RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhry could not go to Rajya Sabha on Monday as he had to attend his wife’s operation. Rashtriya Lok Dal is with the I.N.D.I.A alliance. He wanted to vote but could not reach,” party spokesperson said.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill bill was passed on Monday with a division of 131 to 102 votes. However, the absence of RLD Chief Jayant Chaudhry from proceedings caused a flutter especially since Jayant had pledged support to the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A) alliance by attending the second meeting in Bengaluru.

After a debate spanning eight hours, the Bill cleared its last legislative test in the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The draft legislation on the control of services in the national capital was passed by a comfortable majority after being taken up for consideration by the Upper House.

The Parliament on Monday passed the Bill that empowers the Lieutenant Governor to control Group A services in Delhi, including on matters relating to appointments, transfers and postings. The Bill was passed after a division in which 131 MPs voted in favour of the legislation and 102 against it.

In an intriguing turn of events amid voting for the Delhi Services Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, five MPs, including those of the BJP, claimed that their names were added to a proposed Select Committee for the Delhi Services Bill without their consent.

The House took up debate on the Bill earlier on Monday after it was moved for consideration and passage by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha last week.