“No attack on federal structure acceptable”: RJD MP Manoj Jha on Delhi Services Bill

New Delhi [India]: While referring to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and MP, Manoj Jha, on Tuesday, said that ‘no attack on the federal structure in the country is acceptable’.

He also said that today it is happening with Delhi and tomorrow it can happen with any other state. “We have repeated it time and time again. We are not going to accept any attack on the federal structure in the country. Today it is happening in Delhi, tomorrow it can happen with any other state,” Jha said while speaking to media.

Earlier, Congress leader, K Suresh said that his party will strongly oppose the bill in Parliament. “We have clearly said that we have taken a decision to strongly oppose the Delhi Ordinance Bill,” he said.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to replace the Ordinance brought by the Centre in May, excluding certain services from the legislative competence of the Delhi legislative assembly.

According to the Lok Sabha legislative business notification, the Bill on the Delhi services is listed for introduction in the Lower House on Tuesday.

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to introduce a Bill to amend the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act, 1991, while also tabling the draft of the Bill for the consideration of the House.

Opposition members from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A), including the Congress, have already cleared their stand over the Bill, saying they would oppose it as it will destroy the federal structure of governance.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to replace an ordinance brought by the Centre in May which excluded ‘services’ from the legislative competence of the Delhi legislative assembly.

The ordinance was brought days after the Supreme Court order giving power of transfer and posting to the Delhi government.

The AAP has issued a three-line whip to all its MPs in Rajya Sabha to be present in the House till August 4 in anticipation of the bill.