New Delhi: The re-promulgation of the land acquisition ordinance shows the government's “disregard” for parliamentary democracy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “obstinacy to favour some capitalists”, the Congress today alleged.
The party's reaction came after the ordinance, which the government could not get converted into a legislation in Rajya Sabha due to stiff opposition, was re-promulgated, a day before it was to lapse.
“The re-promulgation of the ordinance by the Modi government showed disregard for parliamentary democracy and negation of parliamentary practices,” party's communication department in-charge Randeep Surjewala said.
“It is using tyranny of majority to obliterate parliamentary institutions and the move shows obstinacy of Prime Minister to favour some capitalists,” he told reporters.
President Pranab Mukherjee signed the ordinance as recommended by the union cabinet on March 31. The earlier ordinance is to lapse tomorrow as it has not been converted into legislation during the first part of the budget session as required under the Constitution.
The Opposition was not in a mood to oblige the government and, in fact, mounted a strong campaign against it. Led by Sonia Gandhi, the Opposition parties demanded the passage of the original land bill that was passed during the UPA regime.
To enable re-promulgation of the ordinance, the government last week got the Rajya Sabha prorogued.
Under the Constitution, at least one of the Houses has to be prorogued for government to issue an ordinance. Parliament is currently on a month-long recess after the Budget session started on February 23.
Earlier too, Congress had hit back at the Prime Minister accusing him of using “tyranny of majority” in Lok Sabha to “muzzle democratic dissent” over the controversial land acquisition bill.
