BJP changed stand on SC verdict on convicted lawmakers: Chidambaram

New Delhi: Under attack from the opposition for bringing an ordinance to protect lawmakers from immediate disqualification, the government today hit back, accusing BJP of changing its stand on overturning a Supreme Court judgement on the issue. “Actually you should ask the BJP. They first wanted a change in the law, why they first said they would pass the bill and then why did they change their mind towards the last days of the Parliament session. [caption id=“attachment_1135489” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  P Chidambaram. AFP[/caption] “They are entiltled to change their mind but just because you change your mind, you should not say everybody should change their mind,” Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters here. He recalled that in the all-party meeting on 13 August, there was a “unanimous demand” that something should be done relating to the Supreme Court judgement on section 62(5) and section 8(4) of the Representation of People Act. While the verdict on section 62 (5) said those in jail cannot contest polls, the one on section 8(4) said MPs, MLAs and MLCs will not get three month time to challenge their conviction and sentence in a criminal case with a jail term of two years and more, and lose their membership immediately. Taking the battle to the BJP camp on the issue, he wondered as to how a controversial Gujarat Minister Babubhai Bokhiria was holding office by taking recourse to the struck down provisions of the Representation of the People Act. “He has been convicted for a period of three years. How is he holding office today and remaining minister. By virtue of section 8(4), as it tends to, that section has been struck down, so should not BJP feel pains of conscience and ask him to step down. “A BJP minister continuing to hold office after conviction even after section 8(4) is struck down. How can that be reconciled with their present position?,” he asked. Chidambaram said the Gujarat minister should have lost his seat. “How is he holding his office, because he took advange and filed an appeal and got the stay under the old section 8(4) which has been struck down. He holds office and BJP says you should not amend the law. Very funny!” he said. He said Law Minister Kapil Sibal has now asked the Rajya Sabha Chairman to refer the bill to the Standing Committee on Law and Personnel. The Finance Minister said once the committee gives its report, the government will be ready to make fresh amendments to the bill, which is pending in Rajya Sabha. “The bill was ripe for passage, it would have been passed. It is not as though we are surprising anyone by an ordinance. It is the same bill which is in Parliament. There was consensus,” he said. Responding to suggestions that the ordinance was passed in a hurry to protect tainted lawmakers, Chidambaram said, “There was no hurry. We are simply saying everybody agreed that the judgement required to be changed.” The verdict on section 62 (5) of the R P Act debarring people in jail from constesting polls was overturned by Parliament by an amendment bill. The President has given his consent to the bill turning it into a law. PTI