Raut: New Bills to Terrorize Opposition Governments

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut fiercely criticized three new bills introduced in the Lok Sabha, claiming they are designed to intimidate opposition-led state governments and consolidate BJP’s dominance. The bills, moved by Union Minister Amit Shah, mandate the removal of a prime minister, chief ministers, or ministers arrested and detained for 30 consecutive days on serious criminal charges carrying a minimum five-year sentence, sparking outrage among opposition parties.

Speaking to reporters, Raut labeled the legislation a “symbol of dictatorship,” accusing the BJP of weaponizing it to pressure opposition-ruled states into aligning with the ruling party. “These laws are meant to terrorize opposition governments, creating a constant threat of arrests to destabilize them,” he said, taking a swipe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena ministers. “If this law passes, they’ll be in jail every day,” he quipped, questioning the BJP’s moral authority. “Have they practiced morality in governance over the last 10 years?” the Rajya Sabha member asked.

The bills, introduced amid fierce protests, allow for the automatic removal of top officials on the 31st day of detention, even without a conviction, raising fears of misuse through targeted arrests by central agencies. Raut argued this undermines democratic principles and federalism, enabling the BJP to topple opposition governments by leveraging investigative agencies. He pointed to recent political turmoil in Maharashtra, where splits within Shiv Sena and NCP have bolstered BJP’s influence, as evidence of such tactics.

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The opposition, including Congress and Trinamool Congress, has rallied against the bills, warning they could erode constitutional safeguards and centralize power. As debates rage in Parliament, Raut’s remarks highlight growing concerns over the politicization of law enforcement, with the bills potentially reshaping India’s political landscape by intimidating non-BJP governments.

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