The government is ready to suggest the formation of department-related standing committees for both houses of Parliament to the Speaker and Chairman. The conflict with the TMC over the delay and potential sidelining in this process is ongoing.
The main opposition party, Congress, has nominated candidates for the chairman positions of the four committees allocated to them. This consists of three committees in the Lok Sabha, where the Congress currently has 97 members, and one committee in the Rajya Sabha. Essentially, the other opposition parties have accepted the offered chairmanship due to the political power of their own parties.
Nevertheless, the ongoing rivalry between the government and TMC continues, the TMC has not yet acknowledged the government’s proposals. Although the party’s top leaders claim they have not heard from the Centre, government sources say they have not yet accepted the offers.
Top sources in the Lok Sabha Secretariat have also discovered that the Lok Sabha Speaker’s office has been unsuccessful in reaching member of the house and senior MP Sudip Bandopadhyay. O’Brien had sent a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, indicating dissatisfaction with the postponement of committee appointments.
On Wednesday, during an event, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told the media: “The creation of committees is not being delayed.” It is the responsibility of the government to support the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman’s offices. The names provided by these political parties have been passed on to us. The responsibility for creating committees and selecting their chairperson belongs to the presiding officers.
The Trinamool and BJP are in a fierce fight in Bengal over the state government’s lack of action in the RG Kar rape and murder case. From 2014 to 2019, the BJP went from winning only two Lok Sabha seats to an impressive 18 seats, posing a strong challenge to the TMC. It also won 75 seats in the 2021 assembly elections and is now the main party opposing in the state assembly. The TMC is still upset about not being given any committee chairmanship in 2019, despite having significant representation in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Even though the official announcement has not been made yet, sources have indicated that the government has accommodated all opposition parties based on the number of seats they hold to support their claims of chairmanship for standing committees.
It is probable that Dr Shashi Tharoor of the Congress will lead a committee focusing on external affairs. It is probable that the party will appoint Charanjit Singh Channi, the former chief minister of Punjab, as the head of the agriculture, animal husbandry, and food processing committee. Reports have also indicated that the Congress will be given the chairmanship of the committee for rural development and panchayati raj. With the numbers they have in the Rajya Sabha, the party is likely to also secure the chairmanship of the education committee, which will probably be led by Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Sources report that the DMK, another opposition party, is set to be given leadership of the committee for industries in the Rajya Sabha and the committee for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution in the Lok Sabha. The Samajwadi Party, with a strong presence in the Lok Sabha, had informed the government of their desire to lead a committee in the Rajya Sabha, with senior MP Ram Gopal Yadav included.
Reports indicate that Yadav is expected to rejoin the health and family welfare committee, a position he previously led. Sources say that in addition, the BJP-led NDA will provide opportunities for major allies to have a voice in decision-making.
They stated that the TDP will be assigned as the chair of the housing and urban affairs committee, the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde will take charge of the energy committee, and the JD(U) will head the transport, tourism, and culture committee.
Sources say that once more, key committees such as finance, home, and defence will remain with the BJP. They mentioned that Bhartruhari Mahtab, a senior Member of Parliament, is expected to lead the finance committee.