New Delhi--Amidst rare scenes of bonhomie, Rajya Sabha on Wednesday unanimously passed a Constitutional Amendment bill to operationalise the Land Boundary Agreement with Bangladesh that enables exchange of over 60 land ‘enclaves’ in each others’ territories.
Apart from their whole-hearted and unconditional support to the bill, members, across parties, also gave exceptional applause to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj who piloted the bill.
The Congress was so pleased with the minister that Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad suggested that she should be asked to introduce the other bills as well. “I congratulate you for piloting the bill which is getting a unanimous approval of the House. Many people from your side ask why other bills don’t get passed. If the government tries to pilot the bill in the manner you have done, then you will keep getting the support of other parties,” Azad said.
While introducing the bill, which was a copy of a similar bill introduced by the UPA government in 2013, Swaraj had conceded that BJP was opposed to the bill earlier because it was of the view that the interests of Assam were not being protected adequately.
Azad said Swaraj had shown that she had the strength to speak the truth.
Other speakers also showered praise on Swaraj for the manner in which she had tried to take everyone along.
Indian Express
