Arrest 4-5 ministers & govt is gone: Owaisi on PM-CM removal Bills
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi has sparked a controversy by stating that if four to five ministers are arrested, the government would be gone. His statement comes in the backdrop of the proposed Constitution (130th) Amendment Bill, which provides for the removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers who are arrested for at least 30 days.
Owaisi’s remarks were made during a discussion on the proposed bill, which has been introduced in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to empower the President to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers in certain circumstances. However, Owaisi has expressed concerns over the proposed legislation, terming it as “unconstitutional” and “undemocratic”.
“Just arrest four-five ministers, and government is gone,” Owaisi said, emphasizing that the bill would create a situation where the government would be in constant fear of being removed by the President. He also questioned the necessity of the proposed bill, asking, “What is this? Is it not enough that we have Article 75 and Article 78, which deal with the removal of the Prime Minister and Chief Ministers?”
Article 75 of the Indian Constitution deals with the removal of the Prime Minister, while Article 78 deals with the removal of the Chief Minister. Under these provisions, the Prime Minister or Chief Minister can be removed through a vote of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha or the respective state legislative assembly.
Owaisi’s concerns are not unfounded. The proposed bill would give the President sweeping powers to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and ministers, without requiring a vote of no-confidence in the Lok Sabha or the respective state legislative assembly. This would effectively create a situation where the government would be at the mercy of the President, rather than the people’s representatives.
Moreover, Owaisi has also expressed concerns over the 30-day period that a minister would have to serve in prison before being removed. “What is the guarantee that the President will not use this provision for political vendetta?” he asked. “Will the President not use this provision to remove a government that is not to his liking?”
Owaisi’s criticism of the proposed bill has sparked a debate over the need for such legislation. Proponents of the bill argue that it would help to prevent the government from being hijacked by a few individuals who are arrested and held in prison for an extended period. However, critics of the bill argue that it would undermine the democratic process and create a situation where the government would be in constant fear of being removed by the President.
In conclusion, Owaisi’s statement serves as a warning to the government over the potential consequences of the proposed bill. If passed, the bill would create a situation where the government would be in constant fear of being removed by the President, rather than being accountable to the people’s representatives. It is essential that the government listens to Owaisi’s concerns and reconsiders the proposed bill to ensure that it is in line with the principles of democracy.
News Source:
https://x.com/PTI_News/status/1959912041168437660
