Live: Rahul wins, government to withdraw bill, ordinance

6.58 pm: ‘Proud that BJP ensured flag of democracy flies high’ Meanwhile, the BJP sought to take credit for the government’s decision to withdraw the ordinance on convicted netas. “We are happy and proud that the opposition (BJP) has ensured that the flag of the democracy flies high,” Ravi Shankar Prasad of the BJP said. Prasad also hit out at the Congress saying in the union government, only the dynasty is important and not the cabinet or the PM. “This was the theater of the absurd. Suddenly we’ve seen a change… it has nothing to do with morality, legality, validity or constitutionality…. it’s a sheer power of dynasty before which the PM and the cabinet have meekly submitted.” 6.43 pm:  Will withdraw both, ordinance and bill, says Manish Tewari Union Minister Manish Tewari said the government has decided to withdraw both, the ordinance and the bill that seek to protect convicted MPs and MLAs. Speaking to the press after the cabinet meeting, Tewari said there was no question of undermining the authority of the Prime Minister in a democratic country. “The Union cabinet today met at 1800 hours and it was unanimously decided that both the ordinance with regard to certain sections of the Representation of People Act as well as the bill would be withdrawn. The decision of the union cabinet was unanimous. As the PM articulated yesterday, democracy is not an authoritarian monolithic sysetem of government. We respect diversity of views. Yes there was a view articulated by Rahul Gandhi and possibly it was based on the widest possible feedback.. under those circumstances it was decided to take back both the bill and ordinance.” As far as the bill is concerned, it is the property of Parliament so an appropriate motion will be moved when Parliament meets, to withdraw the bill." However, some of the allies were not happy with the government’s decision to withdraw the ordinance quickly. “It was a cabinet decision then, it is a cabinet decision now.. I’m not upset but I’m just not happy,” National Conference Chief Farooq Abdullah said. 6.38 pm: Don’t agree with govt’s decision to withdraw ordinance,  says SP The Samajwadi Party hit out at the government for taking a U-turn on the ordinance seeking to protect convicted MPs and MLAs. “SP does not agree with the decision, this is for the first time a govt has taken a U-turn… Now our character certificates will be written by the police and other people. We do not support it,” party spokesperson Naresh Agarwal said. 6.20 pm: Cabinet decides to withdraw ordinance, bill on convicted netas The Union Cabinet this evening decided to withdraw the bill as well as the ordinance on seeking to protect convicted MPs and MLAs. The bill will be withdrawn when Parliament meets during the winter session. The bill is currently before a standing committee of Parliament. Earlier in the day the Congress core group had decided to withdraw the ordinance. At the cabinet meeting, NCP Chief Sharad Pawar reportedly said that even the BJP wanted the ordinance reversed. 5.50 pm: Ministers arrive at 7 RCR, Cabinet meeting to begin soon Union Ministers have begun arriving at the Prime Minister’s official residence - 7 Race Course - for the cabinet meeting to review the ordinance on convicted netas. While the Prime Minister had earlier today conveyed his decision of withdrawing the ordinance to UPA allies, parties such as the NCP and Samajwadi Party are miffed at how the government has suddenly changed its stand based on the opinion of Rahul Gandhi. NCP Chief Sharad Pawar had earlier today said he would a demand an explanation from the Congress as to how they changed their stand despite two cabinet meetings discussing the issue. The meeting is also likely to decide how to wriggle out of the situation while still justifying the ordinance. 5.05 pm: Nitish supports govt, says nothing wrong in withdrawing ordinance Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came out in support of the cabinet saying there was nothing wrong in it deciding to withdraw the ordinance after reviewing it again. “If there is a mistake then there is no problem in rectifying it,” Nitish told reporters. 4. 45 pm: Govt set to withdraw ordinance, seeks legal advice The Union government has decided to withdraw the ordinance and is seeking legal advice from its Attorney General GE Vahanvati. Vahanvati is currently meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at his official residence in New Delhi. The cabinet will meet over the ordinance at 6 pm this evening. 4.10 pm: PM speaks to allies, informs them of decision to withdraw ordinance Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has spoken to UPA allies and has informed them about the Congress core group’s decision to withdraw the ordinance on convicted netas. According to a CNN-IBN report, most of the allies have agreed to the decision. RLD Chief Ajit Singh told the Prime Minister that there was ’nothing wrong’ in withdrawing the ordinance. 4.04 pm: Convicted netas should go, but discuss bill in parliament first, says DMK Former UPA ally DMK has said the government should withdraw the ordinance on convicted netas and have a detailed discussion in Parliament. Speaking to Times Now, a DMK spokesperson said people need to know where Parliament stands on the issue. “We want the issue to be discussed in the house and let the people know what is happening. There also has to be some protection for victims who are facing charges of false accusations,” he said. “A person if convicted should not be in power… People who have become part of a scandal should not be there.” 3. 45 pm: Rahul immature, ill-mannered, says TMC TMC urges the government not just to withdraw the ordinance but also the bill that gives leeway to convicted politicians. TMC leader Saugata Roy said that Rahul Gandhi’s comment on ordinance shows immaturity. “After a party decision has been taken, how can a party leader come and criticise it? It just shows maturity and ill manner of Gandhi,” he said. 3. 40 pm: It’s all drama, says AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal Now it seems the Aam Aadmi Party is trying to gain brownie points after the Congress withdrew the ordinance. AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said that the Congress party is simply indulging in drama through this ordinance fiasco. “It is impossible that the ordinance was introduced without the knowledge of Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. And two days later Rahul comes and tears the ordinance. This is simply tamasha and nothing else,” Kejriwal said, Kejriwal also said that the PM must resign after all that has happened. “We have a PM who has not been voted to power by the people, he is the PM because he is close to the Gandhi. The PM must answer,” he said. 3. 18 pm: Will Congress kill the bill after withdrawing ordinance? After the Congress party decided to withdraw the ordinance to negate the Supreme Court verdict on convicted lawmakers, reports now say that the party may now kill the bill altogether. Government spokespersons have been maintaining that there was an all-party consensus on the need for a bill to negate the Supreme Court judgement that struck down a provision in the electoral law which allowed a convicted MP and MLA to continue in their post if they make an appeal to a higher court within three months. However, recently, in a major embarrassment to the UPA government, Rahul Gandhi on Friday denounced the controversial ordinance as “complete nonsense” and said what “our government has done is wrong”. The Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 13, seeks to insert an explanation in Section 2 of the RTI Act regarding public authority. The amendments state, “Authority or body or institution of self-government established or constituted by any law made by Parliament shall not include any association or body of individuals registered or recognised as a political party under the Representation of the People Act, 1951.” 2. 40 pm: Rahul has been ill-advised, says Farooq Abdullah Although the BJP, Left have welcome the Congress’ decision to withdraw the ordinance, some of the allies of UPA are miffed. Former J&K chief minister Farooq Abdullah said that the “ordinance drama was unfortunate”. Taking a dig at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Abdullah said that he has been ill-advised. “Rahul should have waited for the PM to come. He has been wrongly advised. I hope in future there will be better advisors for Rahul,” he said. 2. 15 pm:  BJP claims credit for ordinance rollback Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu claims credit for ordinance rollback. He said that Congress backed off only after BJP leaders met the President and asked him not to sign the ordinance. “Wisdom has prevailed. It’s high time the Prime Minister put down his papers,” Naidu said. 2:05 pm: RJD says ordinance wasn’t brought about to save Lalu The one party the ordinance was to benefit was the Rashtriya Janata Dal but they’d like us to believe that it wasn’t to benefit the party supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav. “The Ordinance was not to save our leader (Lalu) it was merely a reflection of the sentiment of the all party meet on the issue,” Manoj Jha, a spokesperson of the party, said. There was near unanimous decision that the SC decision on convicted MPs was out of touch with political reality, he said. “All parties were on board and believed that legislative capacity should engage with the court on how they look at cleaning of politics,” Jha said. 2:00 pm: NCP questions Congress’ decision to withdraw ordinance The NCP has continued to question the flip flop in the Congress over the ordinance and even after the Congress core group decision isn’t any happier about the decision. Whether a co-ordination committee meeting will change their mind remains to be seen. 1:40 pm: PM-President meet over, UPA co-ordination committee meet likely The Prime Minister’s meet with the President is over and according to CNN-IBN he is likely to have told him of the likelihood that the Cabinet plans to withdraw the contentious ordinance. Given the demand from allies like the NCP, the UPA is set to call for a co-ordination committee meet to discuss the legislation. But given the Cabinet meeting is at 6 pm, its not very clear when this will take place. 1:30 pm: Akhilesh Yadav says ordinance seems to have been withdrawn with elections in mind The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has kept with his party’s line of criticising the Congress for its plan to withdraw the ordinance. He refused to react to questions asking his opinion on the matter saying that those who brought the ordinance should be answerable for it. “The one who brought the ordinance is now withdrawing it,” he said. If someone is in a hurry to withdraw the ordinance, it seems it could be being done keeping in mind upcoming elections, Yadav said. 12.47 pm: Will UPA find new ally in JD(U)? In a big political move, the JD(U) has openly pledged its support to Congress after its decision to withdraw the Congress. JD(U) spokesperson told Times Now, “We have always been against the ordinance. We support this move.” However, when asked if they will support UPA as an ally, he said, “We are against communal forces coming to power.” 12. 39 pm: BJP, Left support withdrawal of ordinance Left leader Sitaram Yechury welcomed the withdrawal of the ordinance and said that it should not have been brought about in the first place. “Why this hurry for an ordinance? This had to be withdrawn. It was unnecessary for Congress to go through this fiasco,” he said. Meanwhile, BJP leader Sushma Swaraj tweeted that the ordinance to save convicted netas is unconstitutional. 12. 35 pm: PM meets President Pranab Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has met President Pranab Mukherjee. The PM is likely to convey the Congress core group decision on the ordinance. 12. 14 pm: Bill likely to be withdrawn? In quite a surprising move, Congress has reportedly decided to withdraw the bill from the Parliament. Congress leader Rashid Alvi told ABP that the final decision has to be taken by cabinet. “Whatever decision is taken will be positive, Rahulji’s view can’t be ignored,” he said. 12. 12 pm: Cong to call UPA meet on ordinance Reports say Congress is likely to call an UPA coordination meeting over the withdrawal of ordinance. However, the final decision on the ordinance will be taken only after the cabinet meet. 11. 59 am: Congress to withdraw ordinance? According to reports, Congress core group has decided to withdraw the ordinance.  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet the President shortly and is likely to convey the group decision to him. According to Doordarshan sources, Congress has said that the ordinance should be withdrawn with allies on board. BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi says that it is the pressure of the BJP that has won and no credit goes to Rahul Gandhi for the withdrawal of the ordinance. “It’s not Rahul Gandhi who won, it is the will of the people and the Supreme Court,” she said. On Kamal Nath’s accusation, the BJP leader said, “We were never in favour of constitutional amendment on tainted MPS.” 11. 45 am: Prakash Karat meets Mulayam Singh Yadav CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat meets Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav. SP has made it clear that they are in favour of ordinance, but Karat’s views are not yet known. However, reports say the meet is not so much about ordinance as about changing allies. It is likely about building new allies and prevent communal forces from coming to power. 11. 32 am: Cong core group meet ends The Congress core group meet at 7RCR has ended. The meeting lasted for about half an hour. 11. 15 am: Kamal Nath accuses BJP of ‘doublespeak’ on ordinance Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath accused the BJP of doublespeak on the ordinance on tainted MLAs and MPs. He said that in two all-party meets, BJP had agreed to change Supreme Court order on disqualification of MPs. “I have the minutes with me,” he told Times Now. “But now they are taking a different stand,” he said. “First they say something in all-party meet and then they say something else to the public. This is an old functioning of BJP,” Nath added. 11. 09 am: No objection if ordinance is withdrawn, says NCP UPA ally NCP says they have no objection if ordinance is withdrawn. “If consensus emerges for withdrawal, we have no objection,” a NCP leader reportedly told Times Now. 10.50 am: Now Congress core group meeting begins The Congress core group meeting has begun, where the fate of the ordinance on convicted MPs is expected to be discussed, prior to a cabinet meeting later this evening. The meeting is taking place shortly after a one on one interaction between Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the former’s dramatic outburst against the ordinance. Reports coming from the meeting say that Rahul had expressed regret at the manner of his actions, and had told Singh that his intention had never been to undermine the Prime Minister or cabinet. However he had also reportedly explained why he was so strongly opposed to the ordinance. For his part, the Prime Minister had reportedly explained the note on the ordinance sent by the Law Ministry to Rahul and said that it did not shield convicted politicians. The meeting comes even as ally pressures to not withdraw the ordinance increases. 10.41 am: Withdrawing ordinance is ‘dangerous to democracy’ warns SP Senior Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal has dismissed Rahul Gandhi’s opposition to the ordinance seeking to reverse the Supreme Court decision on convicted MPs as ‘drama’ and warned that reversing it would be ‘dangerous for democracy’. Speaking to CNN-IBN, Agarwal said, “Rahul’s remark on the ordinance is drama. If PM backs on his stand, then it is dangerous for democracy. The ordinance should be brought. How can one be disqualified simply on basis of trial court verdict?” The SP leader also demanded to know why the government’s allies were being ignored in this decision. “Just because Rahul Gandhi has decided, the stand should not change”, he said. 10.30 am: Rahul tells PM he ’never meant’ to undermine him: reports Rahul Gandhi has reportedly told the Prime Minister that he never meant to undermine either him or the cabinet during a 25 minute meeting that took place at 7 RCR. The CNN-IBN television channel said that Rahul had adopted a conciliatory tone, and that he seemed to be seeking to undo the damage he had done. He had reportedly explained his stand to Singh and had requested him to take a second look at the ordinance. There had been no clear cut apology however, the channel added. The final decision on the ordinance will be taken by cabinet, the channel added. Meanwhile the Congress core group meeting to discuss the ordinance will begin shortly. 10. 14 am: NCP says decision on ordinance only after Cabinet meet UPA ally NCP has said that the decision on ordinance will be taken only after the Cabinet meet and no decision has been taken in Rahul Gandhi and PM’s meet.  “Whatever the decision is, it will be taken after a long discussion,” NCP leader Tariq Anwar said that. 10.05 am: Rahul-PM meet on ordinance ends The meeting between Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is over. The meeting lasted for about 25 minutes. Did the PM budge from his position on ordinance? 9. 59 am: Samajwadi Party against withdrawal of ordinance, say reports According to reports, Samajwadi Party members have met senior leaders of Congress over the ordinance.  Times Now reports that Mulayam Singh Yadav has made it clear to the Congress that the Samajwadi Party is against the withdrawal of the ordinance. There are reportedly a series of meetings being held between SP and Congress party. 9. 40 am: PM meets Rahul Gandhi Congress Vice president Rahul Gandhi has arrived at 7 RCR to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The two are likely to discuss Rahul’s public outburst against the ordinance on convicted MPs. 9. 30 am: PM, Sonia pay respect to Mahatma at Raj Ghat, but where is Rahul? As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi visited Raj Ghat today on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti to pay respect to Mahatma Gandhi, the absence of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi has raised many eyebrows. The Congress Vice President’s absence is all the more conspicuous because it comes hours ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, to discuss the ordinance on criminal MPs passed by the cabinet, which in a surprise move, Rahul slammed in public as a ‘nonsense ordinance’ that needed to be torn up and thrown away. Manmohan Singh for his part, arrived back in India from the US in a combative mood last night. He indicated that he was unhappy with the timing of the Congress Vice President’s sudden outburst and hinted that Sonia had also been a part of the original decision [caption id=“attachment_1146093” align=“alignright” width=“380”]  Manmohan Singh. PTI[/caption] 9.00 am: Will govt withdraw ordinance? Rahul Gandhi may have spoken, but the Cabinet meet that is to take place today to deliberate on the ordinance to rescue convicted lawmakers will decide whether it should be withdrawn or if the final decision should be left up to the President. The Congress core group will also be meeting before the Cabinet meet and is likely to discuss the matter, said reports. But given the Congress Vice President’s stance, its unlikely their view will differ in any way from his. The Cabinet which passed the ordinance had also been hastily convened to meet today in order to discuss the legislation in light of the Congress Vice President’s vocal opposition. As CNN-IBN reported on Tuesday, the Cabinet note which specifies the topic of discussion at the meet, acknowledges the criticism for the legislation leading to the perception that it had attempted to defend convicted lawmakers. However, it defended the cabinet saying that an impartial reading of the legislation did not imply that. The note points out that the legislation moved in Parliament is presently before a standing committee and the ordinance is still to be signed by the president. The Cabinet note gives the ministers two options: wait for the ordinance to be passed by the president, withdraw the ordinance or await the recommendation of the standing committee. Given Mukherjee’s reluctance to pass the legislation, and given Rahul Gandhi‘s strong views on the matter, the Cabinet is likely to act quickly and withdraw the ordinance perhaps maybe even before the President leaves for a foreign tour today. The President had earlier met with ministers, including Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Law Minister Kapil Sibal to discuss the ordinance and seek clarifications.