Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP to Support NDA On Delhi Services Control Bill

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has announced its decision to back the Narendra Modi government in its endeavor to bring the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which seeks to replace an ordinance granting control of Delhi's bureaucratic machinery to the Centre.

While the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have been approaching representatives of various parties to garner opposition against the bill, citing concerns that it undermines the elected Delhi government, YSR Congress Party leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy conveyed his party's support to his MPs last weekend.

"We have decided to back the bill," stated the party's parliamentary party leader, Vijaysai Reddy. Responding to the AAP's appeal for states to unite in defense of federalism, Reddy clarified that they would have supported the AAP if Delhi had been a full-fledged state. However, as Delhi is not a full state and certain areas remain under the jurisdiction of the central government, they have chosen to support the bill.

Certain YSR Congress MPs, who preferred to remain anonymous, revealed that the party was uncomfortable being aligned with the Congress. Party chief YS Jagan Reddy was a former Congress leader, and after the death of his father, YS Rajsekhara Reddy, the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, he had a falling out with the Congress over his father's legacy and other issues, leading to him forming the YSR Congress Party.

With YSRCP's decision to back the bill, the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appears to have a comfortable majority in the Rajya Sabha. Among the 237 members of Parliament with voting rights, the NDA holds 123 votes, while the opposition alliance is expected to receive 108 votes. This includes 92 MPs from the BJP, as well as allies like the AIADMK and other smaller parties. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with its nine MPs, is yet to finalize its stance on the issue.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Rashtra Samit (BRS) has issued a whip to its 7 MPs, directing them to vote against the bill when it comes up in Parliament next week. The BRS whip requires all MPs to be present in the House during the voting process.

The bill, which aims to replace the ordinance issued by the President on May 19, allows the Centre to retain control over the bureaucracy in Delhi, effectively overturning a Supreme Court judgment that had granted control of the bureaucracy in the capital to the elected government, except in areas related to police, public order, and land. The government has listed the bill as a top priority and anticipates its passage in the upcoming week.