The President must Correct this Fault

The orchestrated chaos in the Rajya Sabha on the day the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Bill, 2011 was introduced in Parliament was a dark day indeed for Indian democracy. Over an hour before the chaos and abrupt adjournment sine die, CNN-IBN reported with a great deal of accuracy the events that were going to take place to save the UPA.

One thing was certain at the outset - the UPA was in a minority. It was clearly betting on a replay of the proceedings in the Lok Sabha, where a walkout by the SP, BSP and RJD gave it a huge majority. Sadly, that did not happen, with the BSP first off to mark in declaring that it would oppose the bill and not abstain. But the greatest damage was inflicted by UPA-constituent TMC, which backed the Opposition's demands.

It was very clear that the Bill would be passed only with a set of amendments that had the backing of a majority but that the Congress opposed. Instead of bowing to the wishes of the majority, it shamelessly orchestrated chaos, prompting the Chairman and Vice-President to prorogue the House. The Opposition was aghast, as it was well-known that a session could be extended with the consent of the House and with the same, unfinished, business being taken up.

Now, the BJP has submitted a letter to the President, asking her to take note of this travesty. The President must immediately call a special session of Parliament to undo this wrong committed by a corrupt Congress party that is at the very bottom of its credibility right now. The President has the power to do this. A shameful act that attacked democracy must not be condoned by the Sovereign of the free Republic.