Cong. to Strongly Oppose Bill on Removal of Jailed Ministers
Opposition party sees ploy to harass their party leaders
New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday said it would oppose a proposed Constitution Amendment Bill that seeks removal of ministers in custody for 30 days in serious criminal cases, and expressed doubt over the government securing the required two-thirds majority.
The response came after indications that a parliamentary panel examining proposals on disqualification of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and ministers arrested on criminal charges may adopt its report on July 17 for submission in the Lok Sabha during the Monsoon Session beginning July 20.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh alleged that the proposed legislation was intended for “political harassment” of opponents.
"They will try to bring the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which we are going to oppose. It is a dangerous Bill that was introduced in August of 2025 and was subsequently referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which most Opposition parties boycotted," Ramesh told media.
He said the Bill provides that a minister jailed for 30 consecutive days in a case punishable with more than five years’ imprisonment would be removed from office on the 31st day.
“This is extraordinary. I mean, court proceedings are still going on. In India, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty. We all know how the probe agencies have been functioning in the (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi-home minister Amit Shah regime,” he said.
Ramesh termed the proposal “political vendetta” and “political vengeance”, and said the Congress would oppose its introduction if brought during the Monsoon Session.
He also said the party would oppose a separate Constitution amendment relating to delimitation linked to women’s reservation, and expressed confidence that Amit Shah would not be able to secure the required majority.
Referring to earlier voting, he said the government had fallen short of the numbers needed for a constitutional amendment and alleged attempts to split opposition parties since then.
"They may try to reintroduce it in this session, during the Monsoon Session... We are going to oppose it, we are going to oppose the delimitation Bill which came during a Special Session on April 16 and the home minister was humiliated beyond measure on April 17 when he got only 298 MPs for the Constitutional amendment on delimitation, whereas he required 352 votes," Ramesh said.
Since April 17, Shah has been trying to split various political parties, the Congress general secretary alleged.
"He split the TMC and the Shiv Sena (UBT). Yes, those splits are a challenge for us. It is a setback for the Shiv Sena (UBT), it is a setback for the TMC, and it is a setback for the opposition. But our unity and solidarity continues," he said.
