11 years ago
'Nonsense' ordinance junked: All's well that ends well?As the ordinance for protecting convicted lawmakers is shelved along with the bill, we ask if the end justifies the means or are there lingering problems like the Prime Minister's authority undermined for good.
BJP leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted in the evening to say: Due to our opposition, the bill was referred to Standing Committee.
Cabinet 'unanimously' withdraws ordinance on convicted lawmakersThe government has decided to withdraw a controversial ordinance that protects convicted parliamentarians and triggered a furious critique from Rahul Gandhi last week, who described the policy as "nonsense."
BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad speaks after government decides to withdraw ordinance:
- The government has no wisdom or sense of morality
- When the ordinance was brought in great speed, there was no consideration of morality
- Our leaders protested and we are grateful that the President sought clarification
- Suddenly we have seen a change, it is sheer power of Dynasty
- This is the confirmation of what BJP has been saying - that PM and Cabinet are not important, Dynasty is important
- It was the theatre of the absurd
- On a larger note, strength of India's democracy
- Happy that opposition of BJP, public opinion, media has ensured that flag democracy flies high
I&B Minister Manish Tewari briefs the press after Cabinet meeting:
- The Union Cabinet today met at 1800 hours and unanimously decided that both the ordinance as well as the bill would be withdrawn
- The bill is the property of Parliament and when the House reassembles, we'll move at an appropriate moment to withdraw it
- There was a view articulated by Rahul Gandhi and he was taking into account the widest possible feedback. Therefore, the decision was reconsidered.
- At the all-party meetings in September, all parties agreed to the ordinance and the bill and the government had initiated the move.
- There is absolutely no question of undermining the PM or Cabinet. It goes to demonstrate a government sensitive to public opinion.
JUST IN:
Cabinet withdraws ordinance on convicted lawmakers. The ordinance had triggered a furious critique from Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. (Read more)
Cabinet withdraws ordinance on convicted lawmakers. The ordinance had triggered a furious critique from Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. (Read more)
Cabinet meeting on ordinance on convicted lawmakers ends, announcement on ordinance expected soon.
Cabinet meet begins to withdraw ordinance on convicted lawmakers. Finance Minister Chidambaram returns from Jammu and Kashmir for Cabinet meet.
PM consults Attorney General GE Vahanvati ahead of Cabinet meet.
Sources say Prime Minister speaks to allies on core committee meeting on ordinance, informs them of the Congress Core Group decision on ordinance withdrawal. Withdrawal of ordinance now a mere formality, sources say but the Cabinet will wait for a standing committee report.
At cabinet meeting, Sharad Pawar to question ordinance flip-flop, say sources
Some UPA allies are expected to seek an explanation at a cabinet meeting this evening on why the Congress-led government rushed a controversial ordinance on convicted lawmakers only to do a u-turn.
Some UPA allies are expected to seek an explanation at a cabinet meeting this evening on why the Congress-led government rushed a controversial ordinance on convicted lawmakers only to do a u-turn.
Ordinance row: If I were in Prime Minister's place, I would have quit, says Parkash Singh Badal
A controversial ordinance that protects convicted parliamentarians and triggered a furious critique from Rahul Gandhi is likely to be withdrawn this evening by the cabinet. Here are some of the political reactions.
A controversial ordinance that protects convicted parliamentarians and triggered a furious critique from Rahul Gandhi is likely to be withdrawn this evening by the cabinet. Here are some of the political reactions.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Badal: If I was in PM's place, I would've quit.
NCP chief Sharad Pawar to ask why stand on Ordinance has changed, say sources.
Prime Minister leaves Rashtrapati Bhawan after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee. The meeting lasted 45 minutes. 
Akhilesh Yadav:
- The manner in which the ordinance was brought and is now being hurriedly withdrawn shows that decisions are being taken while keeping elections in mind.
- Party's parliamentary board will decide whether the ordinance should have been brought or no.
Ordinance on convicted MPs legally untenable, President had been told: sourcesWith the ruling Congress deciding to withdraw a controversial ordinance that allows convicted lawmakers to stay in office, President Pranab Mukherjee has been spared a tough decision on a measure that he had reportedly been told was legally flawed.
Prime Minister's meet with President ends.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves to meet President Pranab Mukherjee.
Didn't mean to undermine cabinet: Rahul Gandhi to PM
In a meeting with the Prime Minister this morning, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed his regret for the language and timing of his very public attack on an ordinance that was cleared by the cabinet, according to sources.
In a meeting with the Prime Minister this morning, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi reportedly expressed his regret for the language and timing of his very public attack on an ordinance that was cleared by the cabinet, according to sources.
Sources: Congress Core group backtracks, wants controversial ordinance on convicted lawmakers withdrawn. The ordinance allows convicted MPs to remain in office while their appeal is being heard by a higher court.
Congress Core Group meeting ends.
Congress Core Group meeting begins.
Sources say Prime Minister is satisfied with Rahul Gandhi's explanation on his outburst.
Sonia Gandhi, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Ahmed Patel arrive for the Congress Core Group meet at 7 Race Course Road.
NDTV learns that Rahul Gandhi in his meeting with the Prime Minister explained to him the context of his remarks. He also apologised and expressed regret to the PM saying that he did not mean to undermine him or his cabinet. He, however, stood his ground that convicted MPs and MLAs should be disqualified immediately and explained his efforts of decriminalizing politics in the youth Congress.
Meeting between Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the controversial ordinance on convicted lawmakers ends.
Rahul Gandhi arrives at 7 Race Course Road for a meeting with Prime Minister on controversial ordinance on convicted lawmakers. 
On the PM's agenda today, four meetings and a controversial ordinancePrime Minister Manmohan Singh will meet Rahul Gandhi this morning to discuss a controversial ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers, a day after his remarks while returning from the US indicated that he questioned the Congress vice president's decision to publicly trash the ordinance as 'nonsense'.
