He also questioned why the clause was not "opposed" by senior Congress leaders in the Lok Sabha, which had earlier cleared the Bill.
"The bill giving a constitutional status to backward commission was passed by the Lok Sabha. Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge were there. Why this clause was not dropped there?" he questioned.
Now, the amended bill will be returned to the Lok Sabha for its fresh approval.
The Rajya Sabha yesterday saw high drama and embarrassment for the government as some amendments moved by the Opposition to Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, on backward classes were passed, forcing a major alteration in the legislation.
The Constitution (123rd Amendment) Bill, 2017, providing for setting up of a National Commission for Backward Classes, was passed after dropping of Clause 3, to which four amendments moved by the Congress were approved by the House earlier.
The Lower House had already passed the bill but in the Upper House it had been referred to a Select Committee as the Opposition had wanted more scrutiny.
Days after the Select Committee submitted its report, the Rajya Sabha today took up the Constitution amendment bill, whose passage requires two-third majority of those present and voting in the 245-member House.
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