The Narendra Modi wave is sweeping across the Gangetic plains and beyond. The recent poles five states were billed as the semifinals to General election 2019. The importance accorded to Uttar Pradesh was evident in the Prime Minister holding rallies and road shows in the seventh and final phase, holding fort in Varanasi for three days and addressing 24 meetings across the state. UP recorded a high voting % in excess of 60%, recording 66% in the second phase, reflecting the ground enthusiasm of the voter to exercise his franchise in the best democratic tradition. While the decibel levels were high, the campaign degenerated to new lows with calling names. The elections assumed importance for BJP to execute its policies and achieve several of its stated objectives.
Read MoreThe Rajya Sabha is a permanent house and is not subject to dissolution. The Government of India Act, 1919 provided for the creation of the Council of States. The Constituent Assembly discussed at length the need for a bicameral legislature for the country and opted in favour of continuing the Upper House. Article 80 of the constitution provides for a maximum of 250 members in the Rajya Sabha of which 12 to be nominated by the President. One third of the members retire at the end of two years. A member elected for a full term serves six years. Following the practices in various countries, the powers of the Rajya Sabha are limited as far as Money Bills are concerned. A Money Bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha. After it is passed by the Lok Sabha, it is transmitted to the Rajya Sabha for its concurrence or recommendation. It has to return the bill within 14 days of its receipt. It cannot reject the money bill but can make recommendations for changes which can be accepted or rejected by the Lok Sabha.
Read MoreThe Prime Minister recently announced the need for widespread discussions for holding both the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections together. It as quickly endorsed by the President. The success of BJP in the elections to the five states held recently has fuelled speculation that the government would push forward with this major reform in easing the administrative burden on the Election Commission of India conducting elections all through the year and releasing ministerial time used in electioneering across the country...
Read More70 years on, we still are not fully awake to the realities of the changing world despite undergoing unearthing surge of political, cultural and social change.
Read More‘Rescue Democracy from Money Power’ was the call given by Chakravarthy Rajagopalachari immediately after the emergency. The Nestor of India politics, he was the democratic conscience of post Independence India. Nearly six decades later, the chorus is the same.
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