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PM, CMs, Ministers Face Removal If Jailed: New Bills Spark Row Over 'Destabilising Opposition'

Opposition Leaders have sounded alarm that Central agencies could jail opposition CMs under PMLA, triggering automatic suspension and their government collapses.

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PM, CMs, Ministers Face Removal If Jailed: New Bills Spark Row Over 'Destabilising Opposition'

PM, CMs, Ministers Face Removal If Jailed: New Bills Spark Row Over 'Destabilising Opposition' (Photo on X @AmitShah)

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is likely to introduce three key bills in the Lok Sabha today, August 20, 2025. The bill, which many call controversial, notes that it was designed to misuse by targeting opposition CMs, ministers and leaders, would seek legal provisions to remove the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and top ministers if they are arrested on criminal charges.

According to the proposed bill, the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers, Ministers of States and Union Territories can be removed if they are arrested and jailed for at least 30 consecutive days on charges of committing an offense punishable by imprisonment for five years or more. The president, in such circumstances, could remove them from office by the 31st day as per the provisions of the bill.

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The new bills seek to further amend the Constitution of India and the Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025, apart from the bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Act, 2019.

On August 19, the home minister wrote to the Lok Sabha regarding the introduction of new bills. The letter circulated among members of the Lok Sabha noted that a minister who’s facing allegations of serious criminal offenses, is arrested and detained in custody, may hinder the canons of constitutional morality and principles of good governance and eventually diminish the constitutional trust reposed by people in him.

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The letter, noting that there are no provisions for the removal of a minister on account of serious criminal charges, underlined the need to amend Articles 75, 164 and 239AA of the Constitution, to “provide legal framework for removal of the Prime Minister or a Minister in the Union Council of Ministers and the Chief Minister or a Minister in the Council of Ministers of States and the National Capital Territory of Delhi in such cases”

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi observed that the bills are the ‘best way’ to destabilise the Opposition, adding that arrests of opposition leaders were rampant and disproportionate. He said the new proposed law removes incumbent chief ministers immediately on arrest, highlighting it would be the best way to “destabilise opposition.”

 

Assam Pradesh Congress Committee president Gaurav Gogoi has called the proposed bills a desperate attempt to divert the attention of the public away from the blistering Vote Adhikar Yatra of Shri Rahul Gandhi. “First CSDS – BJP IT cell drama and now these bills. Clearly the winds of change are blowing in Bihar,” the Congress leader said.

 

Notably, several users on social media also raised suspicion about the implications of the new bill as another attempt to oppress the opposition leaders. A user, Tarun Gautam, described a situation where Amit Shah is going to use the new bills, if they become laws.

“CBI/ED/IT raids on opposition CMs – Book them under PMLA-like acts – Send them to jail – Don’t let them get bail for 30 days – CM suspended automatically – Topple their govt in the meantime, Mark my post. This will happen,” the user wrote on X.

 

 

Topics
Amit Shah's New Bills Chief ministers' removal CM's removal ministers' removal New Bills New Constitutional Amendment Bills PM's removal

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