The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has aligned with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Samajwadi Party (SP) in refusing to participate in the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) tasked with reviewing three contentious bills that propose the automatic removal of the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and other ministers if they remain in custody for 30 consecutive days on charges carrying a minimum five-year prison sentence. These bills, introduced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on August 20, 2025, include The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, which amends key articles like 75, 164, and 361B to enforce such disqualifications; The Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025; and The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
AAP's Rajya Sabha floor leader Sanjay Singh declared the boycott on Sunday, labeling the legislation as unconstitutional and designed not to combat corruption but to incarcerate opposition figures, destabilize their governments, and undermine democracy. He highlighted the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) alleged affinity for corrupt individuals, citing examples such as Ajit Pawar, Narayan Rane, G Janardhan Reddy, BS Yeddyurappa, Mukul Roy, Himanta Biswa Sarma, and Suvendu Adhikari who have joined the BJP despite past controversies. "The BJP's bond with corruption mirrors timeless love stories like Laila-Majnu or Romeo-Juliet," Singh remarked.
Echoing this stance, TMC's Rajya Sabha leader Derek O'Brien dismissed the JPC as "valueless," while the party had already opted out on Saturday, arguing that the bills represent a threat to federalism and democratic principles. SP also confirmed its non-participation, with sources indicating a unified front among these parties to avoid legitimizing what they view as a targeted assault on opposition-led administrations.
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This decision has exposed fractures within the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, with TMC advocating for a complete opposition boycott during a recent alliance meeting, while parties like CPI(M) and RSP expressed concerns that abstaining would deprive them of a formal avenue to voice dissent. Congress, however, appears poised to nominate members to the committee, prioritizing engagement to challenge the bills' provisions. The boycott by AAP, TMC, and SP could intensify pressure on Congress and others to reconsider their involvement.
Broader reactions have highlighted the bills' potential implications. Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati described the 130th Amendment as an effort to erode democratic foundations. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, head of TMC, warned that the legislation seeks to terminate the nation's democratic era. On the other side, BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal accused the boycotting parties of evasion, suggesting their reluctance stems from apprehension about accountability.
The bills were referred to the JPC amid heated protests in the Lok Sabha, where opposition members contested their introduction, viewing them as a response to cases like the prolonged custody of leaders such as Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in prior investigations. If enacted, the measures would mandate the removal of any central or state executive in custody for offenses like corruption or money laundering, potentially reshaping political dynamics in India.
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