City
Epaper

Why no more nominations for Anglo-Ind: TMC leader

By IANS | Updated: December 12, 2019 17:40 IST

With the Modi government hinting at the end of the Constitutional provisions for nominating Anglo-Ind to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, Trinamool Congress MP and also a member of the community Derek O'Brien made a blistering attack on the government.

Open in App

He challenged Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad over the total headcount of the community in the country.

While putting the total number of Anglo-Ind at over 3 lakh as against 297 quoted by the Minister while introducing the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty sixth Amendment) Bill, the Trinamool MP questioned why the bill had excluded one community.

The legislator asked how had the government mentioned the number of Anglo-Ind as zero in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh while three MLAs were nominated over the last three years in the state assemblies of these states.

"I want to challenge BJP. How did they nominate the Anglo-Indian MLAs there in the last three years," O'Brien said.

He noted that he was the only Anglo-Indian elected in 72 years and not nominated, crediting it to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Speaking on the Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, the TMC MP said what was in the bill was good but questioned if what was left out was devious or deceitful.

"Please don't pit minorities versus minorities," he said.

The TMC leader said that he would support extending reservation for SCs and STs for another 10 years, 20 years or even 30 years but questioned the delay in approval of a SC/ST Commission in West Bengal.

"You are doing all this here but in Bengal for the last one week, you are humiliating the SCs and the STs because we are wanting to pass in the assembly a SC/ST Commission bill, the highest Constitutional authority has not signed on the bill," the TMC leader said.

As per the Constitution, two members of the Anglo-Indian community are to be nominated to the Lok Sabha and one each to the legislative assemblies of the states.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: West BengaltmcSCSScst CommissionUttar Pradesh
Open in App

Related Stories

ThaneThane Water Cut: TMC Announces Water Supply Disruption on May 2-3; Check Timings and Affected Areas

NationalKolkata Hotel Fire: 14 Killed As Massive Blaze Rips Through Rituraj Hotel Near Falpatti Machhua

NationalAligarh: Karni Sena Members Attacked SP MP Ramjilal Suman’s Convoy With Tyres; Video Surfaces

CricketKolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025 Match Washed Out Due to Rain

CricketKKR vs PBKS: What Happens if Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings IPL 2025 Match Gets Washed Out Due to Rain? EXPLAINED

National Realted Stories

NationalAngolan President Lourenco to begin 4-day state visit to India today

NationalPM Modi to visit Maharashtra today, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh tomorrow

NationalRSS cautions caste census survey should not be used as 'political tool'

NationalHC to hear plea against Robert Vadra on May 2 over remarks on Pahalgam massacre

NationalHaryana Minister asks officials to create land banks by purchasing land from panchayats