Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday sought more time for the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf amendment bill. He echoed the Opposition MPs's views as they also demanded the extension. Dubey moved a resolution during a meeting of the JPC on Wednesday. The proposal for the extension of JPC is likely to move in the parliament tomorrow.
Opposition members storm out of Waqf panel meeting, return later
Earlier in the day, Opposition members stormed out of the meeting of the joint parliamentary committee, alleging that its proceedings had become a mockery. They, however, returned to attend the meeting after an hour amid indications that the committee chairperson would seek an extension in its term.
JPC's tenure might be extended till the first week: Sources
Sources said the panel's tenure might be extended till the first week of the Budget Session, adding that a final decision would have to be taken by the Lok Sabha.
Meanwhile, Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress, A Raja of the DMK, Sanjay Singh of AAP and Kalyan Banerjee of the TMC protested the conduct of committee chairperson Jagdambika Pal, alleging that he was keen to wrap up its proceedings by the November 29 deadline without completing due process.
Gogoi said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla had indicated the committee might be given an extension but it appeared that some "big minister" was directing the action of Pal.
TMC MP Banerjee said, "It is a mockery." YSR Congress MP V Vijaysai Reddy said all parties not allied with the BJP wanted an extension but Pal called for finishing its work so that the report could be tabled in the Lok Sabha on November 29.
