Against Constitution: Tewari on bills to remove jailed PM, CMs
The recent move by the Union government to introduce three bills in Parliament, aiming to remove Prime Ministers, Chief Ministers, and Ministers facing serious criminal charges, has sparked a heated debate among political leaders and constitutional experts. One of the strongest critics of these bills is Congress MP Manish Tewari, who has termed them as “against the basic structure of the Constitution”.
The bills, which were presented by Union Minister Amit Shah in Parliament, seek to empower the President to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or any other Minister who is facing serious criminal charges and is unable to function effectively. The bills also provide for the removal of ministers who are absconding or have been arrested.
Tewari, who is a former Union Minister and a senior Congress leader, has expressed serious concerns over the potential misuse of these bills. “These bills are against the basic structure of the Constitution,” he said. “The Indian Constitution says that one is innocent until proven guilty. We cannot punish someone until they have been found guilty by a court of law.”
The Congress MP also pointed out that the bills violate the principles of natural justice, which mandates that a person should be given a fair hearing before being removed from office. “These bills do not provide for any mechanism for a fair hearing or a chance for the accused to defend themselves,” he said. “This is a clear violation of the fundamental principles of natural justice.”
Tewari also expressed concerns over the potential misuse of state instrumentalities under these bills. “The potential for misuse of state instrumentalities under these bills is enormous,” he said. “What is to stop the government from using these bills to harass and intimidate political opponents?”
The Congress MP also questioned the motives behind the introduction of these bills. “Is the government trying to silence its political opponents or is it trying to consolidate its own power?” he asked. “The government should clarify its intentions and justify the need for these bills.”
Tewari’s concerns have been echoed by several other opposition leaders and constitutional experts, who have also raised concerns over the potential misuse of these bills. The bills have been criticized for being vague and undefined, and for lacking any clear mechanism for ensuring a fair hearing for the accused.
The introduction of these bills has also sparked a debate over the role of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister in the country. While the government has argued that these bills are necessary to ensure the smooth functioning of the government, critics have argued that they are an attempt to undermine the office of the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister.
In conclusion, the introduction of these bills has raised serious concerns over the potential misuse of state instrumentalities and the undermining of the basic structure of the Constitution. The government needs to clarify its intentions and justify the need for these bills, and ensure that any legislation passed is fair, just, and in line with the principles of natural justice.
News Source:
https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1958099763255201859
