After Lok Sabha passes landmark reservation bill, tough test awaits in Rajya Sabha

Most of the opposition parties dubbed the proposed law as a “political gimmick” and “election stunt” that may not stand judicial scrutiny, but however supported the bill during voting.

General Category Reservation: A landmark bill seeking to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the general category poor was passed by the Lok Sabha. (PTI)

New Delhi: After a historic day at Lok Sabha which passed the landmark bill to provide 10 per cent reservation in jobs and education for the economically backward section of the general category, the proposed litigation will be tabled in the  Rajya Sabha on Wednesday . The Bill was passed in the Lower House with support of most parties at the end of a bustling day with the government describing it as historic and in country’s interest. Opposition parties including Congress voted for the bill: Almost all opposition parties including the Congress gave support to the bill during the voting, even after an intense criticism of the government during the discussion. Most of the opposition parties dubbed the proposed law as a “political gimmick” and “election stunt” that may not stand judicial scrutiny.  They underlined the huge political import of the measure aimed to appease the upper castes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi were also present in the Lower House when the bill was passed. Opposition to attack government over timing of bill in RS The general category reservation bill faced little hurdles in the Lok Sabha which is dominated by the BJP, but it may face a tougher stand of the opposition parties at the Rajya Sabha where the number of BJP legislators lacks majority. Opposition parties are likely to question the Narendra Modi government over the timing of the general category reservation bill and have asked all their members to be present in full strength, PTI said citing sources. The members of opposition parties are also upset over the extension of the Rajya Sabha proceedings by a day and will protest in the house. Bill needs to be passed with two-third majority: With 73 MPs, the BJP has the highest number of seats in the house, which currently has strength of 244. This is followed by the Congress which has 50 members. In case of passing a constitutional amendment bill, two-third of the total members present and voted in favour of the bill with more than half(50%) of the total membership of a house, is required. Thus the Modi government will need to get 162 votes on the bill to get it passed on the Rajya Sabha. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Tuesday with 323 members voting in its favour and only three voting against it. Bill will not be sent to state assemblies: Normally constitutional amendment bills require to be passed in respective state legislatures, however, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress president Rahul Gandhi were present in the Lower House when the bill was passed. Union minister Arun Jaitley informed the House that this constitutional amendment bill will not go to state assemblies for ratification, meaning that it will come into force after the Upper House passes it and the President gives his assent. Certain constitutional amendment bills require ratification from 50 per cent of state assemblies to come into force.