Overview
- Lok Sabha has referred three measures, including the 130th Constitution Amendment Bill, to a joint committee to examine proposals that would automatically remove the prime minister, chief ministers and ministers after 30 days of arrest or detention on serious charges.
- BJP leader Aparajita Sarangi is reported to be the likely chair of the 31-member committee that will study the bills.
- The panel is expected to be constituted soon and is likely to be dominated by NDA members after Congress and Trinamool decided to stay out, with BJD and BRS also seen as unlikely to join.
- From outside the NDA, Supriya Sule, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Asaduddin Owaisi and nominated member Sudha Murthy are expected to participate, and YSRCP is also expected to come on board.
- The government argues the move is needed after cases like Arvind Kejriwal not resigning post-arrest, while opposition leaders say the plan violates the presumption of innocence by triggering automatic removal if bail is not secured within a month.