With the backing of YSR Congress Party, the government can easily get the Delhi bill passed
The Centre's bill for the control of services in Delhi is set to clear both houses of parliament with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress Party deciding to support the BJP-led government in parliament on two big votes, including a no-confidence motion on Manipur.
The YSR Congress Party, which has nine members in Rajya Sabha and 22 in Lok Sabha, has often supported the government on critical bills.
With the backing of YSR Congress Party members, the government can easily get its controversial Delhi bill through Rajya Sabha, where it does not have a majority.
The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) bill replaces an ordinance for the control of Delhi's bureaucrats, which was issued by the Centre to override a Supreme Court order that said the elected government in Delhi, not the Centre, has control over the transfer and appointments of bureaucrats.
"We will vote in favour of the government on both issues," YSR Congress Party leader V Vijaysai Reddy told NDTV.
The party's 22 MPs will add to the government's count on the opposition-sponsored no-confidence vote in Lok Sabha on the Manipur crisis. Two notices have been accepted by the Lok Sabha Speaker for a no trust motion that is bound to be defeated and is more of a symbolic move by the INDIA coalition of opposition parties to force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a statement in parliament on Manipur.
Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has been rallying support on its fight against the Centre's bill, accusing the BJP of trying to subvert the rule of law while trying to take over control of officers in the capital. AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal travelled across the country, meeting various chief ministers and opposition party leaders to gain their support.
Last week, the Congress came out in AAP's support, despite their bitter rivalry, especially in Delhi and Punjab.
That doesn't help AAP's cause much as the government is in a strong position in Rajya Sabha.
The Rajya Sabha has 238 members now, with the majority mark at 120.
The BJP and allies in the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) have 105 members. The ruling party is also confident of the support of five nominated and two independent MPs.
The government has 112 votes in favour, which is eight short of the new majority mark. Some 105 members are against the Delhi Ordinance.