Lok Sabha clears the way for 10% quota to upper caste poor

A marathon session in Parliament ended with both the Quota Bill and the Citizenship Amendment Bill passing the Lok Sabha test.

NEW DELHI: Tuesday was a charged-up day in Parliament with the Quota Bill and the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill emerging as the two main issues between the government and opposition parties. With proceedings going well into the night, both bills were passed by Lok Sabha despite some opposition parties expressing their reservations. The government put up a brave front and explained the need and justification for the bills with determination.

Earlier on Tuesday, opposition MPs had protested against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 that aims to give citizenship to illegal migrants of six religious minority groups from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. While the Congress MPs staged a walkout, the Trinamool Congress said the bill is highly divisive and lead to violence. The bill was eventually passed.

The Quota Bill was introduced by BJP's Thawar Chand Gehlot and AIADMK expressed its reservation. Its MP walked out before voting began.

The BJP has earlier issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament on Tuesday as it seeks to push for the passage of a bill providing 10 percent reservation in jobs and educational institutions for economically weaker sections in the general category. The Congress had on Saturday issued a whip to its MPs, asking them to be present in Parliament on Monday and Tuesday.

Here are the highlights from the proceedings from Parliament:-

08 January 2019

22:26 IST

Winter Session of Parliament adjourned sine die. Thank you for staying with Zeenews.com for the latest developments from Parliament.

22:19 IST

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Fourth Amendment) Bill, 2019 passed after a division with 323 members voting in its favour and three against.