NEW DELHI: The ruling National Front government on March 30 plunged into a major constitutional crisis as the bill seeking extension of the President’s rule in Punjab fell through in the Lok Sabha for want of requisite majority.
The constitution amendment bill could not muster up eyen the required simple majority at the initial stage of consideration. Only 241 members were present in the house while 273, constituting half of the total strength of the present house, were required for passage of the bill.
Voting by two thirds of 273 members in favour a constitution amendment bill is required for its passage.
At the time of division some important ministers and members of the ruling national front were not present in the house. They included the deputy prime minister, Devi Lal, Ajit Singh, Nathu Ram Mirdha and Chandra Shekhar.
The failure of the bill had electrifying reaction in parliament lobbies followed by hectic consultations among the ruling party members,
A fresh bill, will be introduced later.
The bill, has to be passed before April 6 by both the houses. If the parliament fails to do so, the election commission will be obliged to issue a notification on April 7 for election to the Punjab assembly.
The President’s rule in the State expires on May 10. According to highly placed sources, Prime Minister Vishwanath Pratap Singh has taken a serious view of the large scale absence of National Front members,
Article extracted from this publication >> April 6, 1990
