PM & CM Jail Bill Controversy: India Alliance Split Over JPC – Who Supports, Who Opposes?

The NDA government has introduced three bills that make it mandatory for the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, and Ministers to face at least 30 days in jail if removed. These bills, however, have caused a split in the opposition. While the opposition had opposed the bills together in Parliament, they are now divided over whether to join the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) that will examine them. Two clear groups have emerged within the India alliance on this issue.

Congress in Favour of Joining JPC

It is understood that the Congress leadership is in favour of joining this committee because it believes it is necessary to record criticism of the party and the broader opposition during the JPC’s investigation. On the other hand, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) have called it a “farce” and announced that they will stay out of the committee. Both these parties have chosen to publicly express dissent within their respective factions. Now, Shiv Sena is also considering this line. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which was once an ally, has also decided to stay away from the JPC.

India Bloc’s Position on JPC

Party                Position

Congress          Support

Left Parties        Support

TMC                  Oppose

SP                      Oppose

Shiv Sena          Oppose

Significance for the India Alliance

The TMC-SP move is also being seen as a distinct stance of regional parties within the non-Congress bloc, especially since the India Bloc had demonstrated unity during the Monsoon Session after a year of divided existence. Meanwhile, leftist parties are in favour of joining the JPC. Congress leaders are trying to involve other allies like DMK, NCP-SP, RJD, and JMM in the committee by holding discussions with them. The party fears that if the opposition boycotts the JPC, proceedings could become one-sided, at least formally. Attention is being paid to whether it will be able to face the so-called “JPC boycott brigade”. Congress leaders are also concerned that if ostensibly neutral parties like the BJD, YSRCP, and BRS join this committee, they would leverage the lack of opposition to argue their positions.

What is Congress Saying?

A senior Congress leader privately said that the party is willing to join the JPC, even though it knows that the leadership and dominance of this committee will be with BJP-led NDA members. The controversial three bills were introduced in haste and sent to the JPC without proper parliamentary discussion. This makes the JPC an important platform for opposition members to strongly express their criticism of the proposals. The Congress leader stated that this approach allows the party to shape public opinion and, if needed, formally record a note of dissent when the JPC submits its report to Parliament. The Supreme Court had also taken note of the opposition’s disagreement over the Waqf Bill. We are discussing with our allies about joining the new JPC.

Parties’ Arguments Against the JPC

In a press statement, the Trinamool Congress declared their opposition to the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill at the very beginning of its introduction, calling the proposed JPC a "farce".They consider the JPC to be a joke.As a result, they are not proposing any AITC members to the committee. Supporters of the Samajwadi Party said that the party agrees with TMC’s stance. According to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, Uddhav Thackeray, the party's leader, thinks the JPC will be useless. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said their party will not participate in the JPC because they believe the bills are not aimed at eradicating corruption but at targeting opposition leaders.