Both houses of Parliament will meet fora special three day session from Oct. 1, to adopt a Constitution Amendment Bill to enable extension of president’s rule in Punjab.
Both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha secretaries Saturday announced in a press communique that the session is likely to conclude on Oct 5.
Convening of the special session follows govt’s decision Friday night against holding of assembly elections in the troubled state bordering Pakistan and to extend central rule there beyond Nov 10, when the current term expires. The Monsoon session of Parliament had concluded 2 weeks ago.
The cabinet committee on political affairs, which met here late Friday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, V.P.Singh, took stock of the latest situation in the state. The while the union cabinet favoured elections before Nov 10, the “allies” rightist BJP and all communist parties—felt the time as “not conducive” for holding free and fair polls in the state.
However, the state political leaders of various factions of Akali Dals demanded elections immediately as they felt postponement would lead to further alienation of Punjabis.
The main opposition party, Congress (I), however, refused to make its stand clear. Congress (I)’s support is necessary for enacting the Constitution Amendment Bill for two thirds of the members should be present and voting on any statute amending measure.
After passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill both the Houses will also have to adopt a statutory resolution enabling the president to issue a proclamation extending the central rule in the State,
Article extracted from this publication >> September 28, 1990
