Delhi Services Bill: Congress fumes at former CJI Ranjan Gogoi

NEW DELHI: Congress Rajya Sabha MP K.C Venugopal on Monday fumed at the remarks of former Chief Justice of India and nominated Rajya Sabha member Ranjan Gogoi as he backed the Delhi Services Bill in the Parliament. Venugopal said that it is shocking that he questioned the jurisprudence of the basic structure of the Constitution and questioned if this is BJP’s trick to begin the full-fledged dismantling of the Constitution. In a tweet, Venugopal said, “Shocking that a former CJI questions the jurisprudence of the basic structure of the Constitution. Is this the BJP’s trick to begin the full-fledged dismantling of the Constitution of India? Does it think that democracy, equality, secularism, federalism, judicial independence are all ‘debatable’ ideas?”

“Not surprising that those who have no regard for constitutional principles are now propping up a former CJI with a ‘debatable’ track record to begin their attack on the Constitution through this very dangerous throwaway line,” Congress leader said.

“What is Gogoi’s argument? Is he saying that there is nothing called the basic structure that should be protected? Does the Government endorse this Arjun Ram Meghwal? They must categorically oppose this line of thought, or it will be clear that the BJP has now started a process to destroy the core tenets of our Constitution,” Venugopal added.

His remarks came after Gogoi, who made his first remarks in the Rajya Sabha on Monday said that the matter is not sub judice and what is pending before the Supreme Court is the validity of the ordinance. Speaking in favour of the contentious bill to replace the ordinance on transfers and postings of senior officers in the Delhi government, Gogoi said the Parliament has power to legislate on the issue and there was no question of overreach. He said the Bill provides for a ‘diluted form of federalism’ because Delhi is a Union Territory. IANS

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