The battle for power over postings and transfers in the Union Territory of Delhi has now reached the floors of Parliament. Government has presented the Delhi (Amendment) Bill in the ongoing monsoon session. In opposition to this bill, not only the ruling Aam Aadmi Party but also a 26-party opposition alliance called Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (I.N.D.I.A.) are voicing their dissent. The bill is likely to be discussed in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The Aam Aadmi Party leaders are expressing confidence that they will be able to halt the bill in the Rajya Sabha, yet when sizing up the numerical strength, this hope appears to be just that—a hope. The Aam Aadmi Party had expected support from parties that are not part of either the opposition's coalition or the National Democratic Alliance led by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The current scenario is such that some parties have sided with the Aam Aadmi Party in opposition to the bill, while others have voiced their support for the bill. Let's find out which neutral parties in the Rajya Sabha are for or against the bill, and who still remains undecided.
The Aam Aadmi Party's hopes for blocking the NCT Delhi (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha were pegged on the stances of the Biju Janata Dal, YSR Congress, and the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. Arvind Kejriwal's party was hopeful that those parties not part of any alliance would support them, voting against the bill in Parliament. The list of neutral parties also includes Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Janata Dal Secular (JDS), Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and the United Peoples Party (Liberal).
After the bill's introduction in Parliament, the clear stances of politically significant parties emerged. YSR Congress from Andhra Pradesh, ruling party of Odisha's Biju Janata Dal (BJD), along with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have supported the bill. YSR Congress and BJD each have nine members in the Rajya Sabha. TDP has one member there.
Among the opposition parties, BSP sided against the bill, announcing their support for the opposition coalition. BSP has only one member in the Rajya Sabha.
As for the parties that have yet to show their hand, YSR Congress, BJD, TDP, and BSP have cleared their positions on the NCT Delhi Amendment Bill 2023. Meanwhile, four parties have not yet laid their cards on the table. Telangana's ruling BRS has seven members in the Rajya Sabha. Along with BRS, JDS, SDF, TDP, and UPP, holding one seat each, are yet to clarify whether they will support or oppose the bill.
In the Rajya Sabha's current number game, the support from YSR Congress and BJD has made the passage of the bill easier. BJP has 92 members and AIADMK has four in the Rajya Sabha. Along with Assam Gan Parishad, Republican Party of India (A), Tamil Maanila Congress (M), Mizo National Front, National People's Party, PMK also have one member each. There are five nominated members. With all these, the strength reached 107. Now, with the support of YSR Congress and BJD, the number reaches 126. NCP has three Rajya Sabha members, and Ajit has sided with NDA against Sharad Pawar. It is unclear where the other two members stand. Assuming all NCP members side with Ajit, NDA's strength would reach 129. With seven seats vacant, there are 238 members currently, making the majority mark 120.
