The legislative majority of the party in office — as well as the democratic mandate — remains unaffected by the bills, MHA said NEW DELHI: The home ministry has rejected the opposition’s charge that its anti-corruption bills undermine federalism and are aimed at destabilising state govts run by BJP’s rivals, asserting that the provisions seek the removal from office of an accused who remains under arrest for 30 consecutive days while keeping the person’s legislative membership intact, thereby ruling out any impact on a govt’s stability.As the legislative majority of the party in office remains unaffected and any other member of the same party can replace the minister removed from office, the democratic mandate is “absolutely unaffected” by these bills, the MHA told a parliamentary committee scrutinising the proposed laws. The bills propose the automatic removal from office of the PM, CMs or ministers if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges, sources said.A PM, chief minister or minister holds an executive position that impacts national or state affairs, and prolonged detention impedes their ability to fulfil these roles effectively, potentially leading to governance paralysis, the ministry said, justifying the intent of the bills.The joint committee of Parliament, headed by BJP parliamentarian Aparajita Sarangi, had flagged a host of issues raised by various stakeholders, including opposition parties, in its communication to the MHA, which responded to them.Responding to the claim that automatic removal from office would undermine the popular will expressed through elections, the ministry said the mandate is neither absolute nor unconditional, as the Constitution provides several accountability mechanisms that can lead to a change in leadership without fresh elections.The party or coalition in office retains the opportunity to elect a new leader who commands majority support, it said.”Far from negating popular will, the provision protects it by ensuring that governance remains effective and trustworthy, preventing a situation where a leader unable to appear before the House or discharge official functions continues in office indefinitely,” the ministry said.The committee is likely to adopt its report in the coming days and table it in the Lok Sabha during the Parliament’s monsoon session, beginning July 20.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’I Will Bow At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Gets Emotional, Chokes Up At BJP’s Datia Bypoll Rally“Putin Pays Close Attention To PM Modi”: Poland Highlights India’s Global Power Amid Global CrisesBengal Government Backs Airport Mosque Relocation, Cites Security And Runway Expansion NeedsSuvendu Govt Replaces Mamata’s ‘Khela Hobey Divas’ With ‘Ayushman Divas’Man Claiming To Be Ex-US Navy Officer Held At India-Nepal Border Without Travel Documents’I Am Not Gandhiji’: Kerala Double Murder Convict Shows No Remorse In CourtUS Inmate Matthew Aaron VanDyke Seeks Special Diet, Cooking Permission Inside Tihar JailMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionMission $500 Billion: India, US Push To Deepen Trade Ties As Deal Nears CompletionCDS To Present Theatre Command Roadmap As India Moves Closer To Military Reforms123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about problems in their married life and his battle with anxiety to Yuvika’s emotional breakdown: Prince Narula and Yuvika Chaudhary get candid5 signs you’re not in love; it’s obsessionWhy you can still cringe over something you said 10 years ago… but forget why you walked into the kitchen just seconds laterJanhvi Kapoor’s 24K gold corset to black embroidered lehenga is wedding guest fashion at its boldest10 beautiful baby names that symbolise new life and fresh beginningsAkshay Kumar’s go-to high-protein snack at 58 is packed with fiber and contains no chilliJuly New Moon 2026: Affirmations for your birth dateDo your knees hurt before it rains? Here’s why osteoarthritis pain gets worse during the monsoon, according to doctorsPigeons taking over your balcony? 7 Humane ways to keep them away without causing harmFrom grey saree elegance to embroidered sharara glam: Alia Bhatt masters two bridesmaid looks at Akansha Ranjan Kapoor’s wedding123Hot PicksWWE Raw PreviewRajasthan PG admissionsSouth China SeaITR filingNepal protestLucknow-Kanpur ExpresswayEPFO amnesty schemeTaylor Swift and Travis KelceE20 petrol newsTop TrendingSamantha BuschMadurai AccidentITR filingFIFA World Cup 2026Karnataka Pakistani ArrestedGhaziabad Mall Rape MurderDelhi MurderTG TET 2026 resultGurgaon EncounterIran war
NEW DELHI: The home ministry has rejected the opposition’s charge that its anti-corruption bills undermine federalism and are aimed at destabilising state govts run by BJP’s rivals, asserting that the provisions seek the removal from office of an accused who remains under arrest for 30 consecutive days while keeping the person’s legislative membership intact, thereby ruling out any impact on a govt’s stability.As the legislative majority of the party in office remains unaffected and any other member of the same party can replace the minister removed from office, the democratic mandate is “absolutely unaffected” by these bills, the MHA told a parliamentary committee scrutinising the proposed laws. The bills propose the automatic removal from office of the PM, CMs or ministers if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges, sources said.A PM, chief minister or minister holds an executive position that impacts national or state affairs, and prolonged detention impedes their ability to fulfil these roles effectively, potentially leading to governance paralysis, the ministry said, justifying the intent of the bills.The joint committee of Parliament, headed by BJP parliamentarian Aparajita Sarangi, had flagged a host of issues raised by various stakeholders, including opposition parties, in its communication to the MHA, which responded to them.Responding to the claim that automatic removal from office would undermine the popular will expressed through elections, the ministry said the mandate is neither absolute nor unconditional, as the Constitution provides several accountability mechanisms that can lead to a change in leadership without fresh elections.The party or coalition in office retains the opportunity to elect a new leader who commands majority support, it said.“Far from negating popular will, the provision protects it by ensuring that governance remains effective and trustworthy, preventing a situation where a leader unable to appear before the House or discharge official functions continues in office indefinitely,” the ministry said.The committee is likely to adopt its report in the coming days and table it in the Lok Sabha during the Parliament’s monsoon session, beginning July 20.
