'Media misinterpreted my opinion'; Shashi Tharoor MP does a volte-face

NEW DELHI: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor changed his stance on the new bill to remove ministers, including the Prime Minister/Chief Minister, who have served a jail term for more than 30 days for serious crimes. Tharoor blamed the media for misinterpreting his opinion on the issue.

Tharoor initially opined that he found no fault with the bill. However, he later expressed his opposition to the bill, saying that if ministers are to be disqualified, they must be proven guilty. The bill introduced in Parliament today by Home Minister Amit Shah under the 130th Constitutional Amendment Act allows the removal of ministers, including the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, who have been arrested for an offence punishable with five years or more and have been in jail for more than 30 days. If the minister does not resign on the 31st day of being in jail, they can be removed using constitutional powers. Ministers can be removed even if the charges against them are not proven.

When opposition parties, including the Congress, came out against the bill, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's stance became a hot topic of debate. The opposition had disrupted the House today by tearing up the bill and protesting. The House, which was initially adjourned till 5 pm, will meet tomorrow, the Speaker announced. Meanwhile, the government has referred the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill to a Joint Parliamentary Committee.