BJP chief Amit Shah reprimands party MPs for absence from RS during passage of crucial bill

BJP president Amit Shah has taken a serious view of the absence of party members from the Rajya Sabha despite a whip and the absentee MPs are likely to be asked for an explanation.

Shah made his displeasure clear at the BJP parliamentary party meeting today, some MPs present there said, a day after the government suffered an embarrassment in the House when a united opposition ensured the passage of amendments to a Constitution amendment bill on backward classes.

The opposition-sponsored amendments were passed by 74 to 52 votes. The BJP’s strength alone is 56 while the ruling block enjoys the support of 88 members, counting 10 JD(U) MPs.

Modi has repeatedly asked the party MPs to ensure their presence in both the Houses underlining that it is the duty of treasury benches to ensure the passage of the government’s legislative agenda.

"Till Parliament is on all members should be present, the matter of members not present will be taken up seriously," Ananth Kumar said after BJP meet. 

Delhi: BJP MPs and ministers arriving for the parliamentary party meeting (earlier visuals) #monsoonsession pic.twitter.com/lUaXJ7eLw3

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2017

Delhi: BJP Parliamentary party meeting underway #Monsoonsession pic.twitter.com/8za5REVyeN

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2017

Delhi: BJP President Amit Shah and Union Minister Ananth Kumar arrive for BJP Parliamentary Party meeting in Parliament Library building pic.twitter.com/JATbw8PJx5

— ANI (@ANI_news) August 1, 2017

The upper House today saw high drama and embarrassment for the government as a Constitution amendment bill on backward classes was changed after some amendments moved by the Opposition were passed by the House.

The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, providing for setting up of a National Commission for Backward Classes, was passed after dropping Clause 3, to which four amendments was approved by the House earlier.

The dropped clause pertains to the insertion of a new article 338B about the constitution and powers of the National Commission for Backward Classes.

The amended bill will now have to be returned to the Lok Sabha for its fresh approval. The Lower House had already passed the bill but in the upper House it had been referred to a Select Committee as the Opposition had wanted more scrutiny.

Days after the Select Committee submitted its report, the Rajya Sabha today took up the Constituent amendment bill, whose passage requires two-third majority of those present and voting in the 245-member House.