Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party suffered a setback in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday when its MPs were virtually marshalled out by the Chair so that the SC/ST Job Promotion Quota Bill they were opposing could be introduced and debated in the House.
There was so much commotion in the House that Deputy Chairman P J Kurien, who was in the Chair, threatened to marshal out two SP MPs after which the entire group staged a walkout in protest. When the RS guards actually came to throw the shouting MPs out, SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav was heard saying in panic that they’ve already gone out, to save his party further embarrassment.
The SP dramatics had little effect as thereafter the discussion on the 117th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to reserve promotions in government jobs for Dalits and tribals, started in right earnest. The Bill introduced by Minister of State in PMO V Narayanasamy requires two-thirds majority and is expected to be passed by the Upper House on Monday.
The two amendments moved by the main Opposition BJP to plug legal lacuna, it seems, have been accepted by the government.