New Delhi:
The ruling BJP today scored a political victory by winning over most of its opponents on legislation that will enable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep his choice of principal secretary - former telecom regulator Nripendra Misra.
A bill to amend the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) Act was cleared in the Lok Sabha by a voice vote in which the house was silent during a call for "Noes". Most opposition parties decided not to oppose the government, leaving the Congress isolated in Parliament. Members of the Congress had walked out during the voice vote.
If cleared in both houses, the bill will replace the ordinance that the government passed just two days after taking over in May, to enable Mr Misra, a former TRAI chairman, to join Mr Modi's team. Before this, an ex-telecom regulator could never take a government job.
The Congress has condemned what it calls "an ordinance just to help one individual."
But after daylong negotiations, the ruling party is confident that its bill will sail through Rajya Sabha too, even though it is in a minority and the Congress is the single largest party.
Sources say Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu spoke to leaders of the Trinamool Congress, BSP, AIADMK, Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal United, who fell in line. Mr Naidu reportedly told these parties that this was "not an ideological issue but a procedural matter."
The Trinamool, which had planned to move a resolution along with the Congress against the bill, took a 180 degree turn that many linked to its desperation for a financial bailout package for Bengal, the state it rules. Its volte face had Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's blessings.
"The TMC is a responsible party. The PM can choose any officer whom he thinks fit for the post," said Trinamool leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay in the Lok Sabha.
Mayawati also said her BSP would support the government, saying, "We should not oppose the appointment if he is a good official."
The Prime Minister reportedly handpicked Mr Misra, a 1967-batch IAS officer who has held several important positions in the government. The 69-year-old was secretary in the ministries of telecom and commerce.
A bill to amend the Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) Act was cleared in the Lok Sabha by a voice vote in which the house was silent during a call for "Noes". Most opposition parties decided not to oppose the government, leaving the Congress isolated in Parliament. Members of the Congress had walked out during the voice vote.
If cleared in both houses, the bill will replace the ordinance that the government passed just two days after taking over in May, to enable Mr Misra, a former TRAI chairman, to join Mr Modi's team. Before this, an ex-telecom regulator could never take a government job.
The Congress has condemned what it calls "an ordinance just to help one individual."
But after daylong negotiations, the ruling party is confident that its bill will sail through Rajya Sabha too, even though it is in a minority and the Congress is the single largest party.
Sources say Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu spoke to leaders of the Trinamool Congress, BSP, AIADMK, Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal United, who fell in line. Mr Naidu reportedly told these parties that this was "not an ideological issue but a procedural matter."
The Trinamool, which had planned to move a resolution along with the Congress against the bill, took a 180 degree turn that many linked to its desperation for a financial bailout package for Bengal, the state it rules. Its volte face had Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's blessings.
"The TMC is a responsible party. The PM can choose any officer whom he thinks fit for the post," said Trinamool leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay in the Lok Sabha.
Mayawati also said her BSP would support the government, saying, "We should not oppose the appointment if he is a good official."
The Prime Minister reportedly handpicked Mr Misra, a 1967-batch IAS officer who has held several important positions in the government. The 69-year-old was secretary in the ministries of telecom and commerce.
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