New Delhi: After hectic parleys with Opposition parties failed to break the logjam, the government decided to move the Triple Talaq Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday and press for it to get it passed without being referred to a select committee. Sources said that an “adamant” government was planning to seek a division in the vote for the Bill to be sent to the select committee so that Opposition parties could be “exposed”.
The division in the ranks of the Opposition saw smaller parties, insistent that the Bill be sent to a select committee. The Congress with 57 members and Trinamool Congress which has 12 members are uncomfortable opposing the Bill in the Upper House. Given the situation, the Bill is expected to be passed by the Upper House on Wednesday itself.
Sources said that though both Congress, represented by Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior leader Anand Sharma, and Trinamool Congress, represented by Derek O’ Brien, sought the select committee route for the Bill in the Business Advisory Committee meeting held on Tuesday evening, they were unlikely to press for it on the floor of the House in case there is a division of votes.
When the Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, the Congress had not sought a vote for the amendments it pressed and the TMC had neither participated in the discussion nor voted. Consequently, despite many smaller parties seeking a Standing Committee scrutiny, the Bill had a smooth sailing in the Lower House.
All smaller Opposition parties including SP, BSP, BJD, AIADMK and DMK have opposed the Bill.
