Eyebrows have been raised over the Government’s decision not to move the anti-conversion Bill in the Legislative Council during the nearly month-long Budget session that ended on Wednesday. The Government is wary of its numbers in the Upper House, according to top sources, and is mulling over taking the Ordinance route.
While the Legislative Assembly had passed the Bill in the winter session at Belagavi amidst acrimonious scenes with Congress bitterly opposing it, the Bill was expected to be moved in the Council during the joint session in January. The Bill, however, was not moved as the Council witnessed pandemonium over Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister K.S. Eshwarappa’s comment that one day the saffron flag could replace the tricolour.
A senior Cabinet minister told The Hindu that the Government, which is still one short of majority was not sure of moving the Bill, which could have been rejected by the combined opposition - Congress and Janata Dal (Secular).
