Opposition furore over Nota in Rajya Sabha polls

New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Tuesday after Opposition members led by the Congress protested over an Election Commission (EC) notification that provides MLAs the option of “None of the Above” (Nota) while voting for new Rajya Sabha members.

The Congress’ reservations come at a time when one of its senior leaders, Ahmed Patel, is pitted in a close electoral battle to Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.

The BJP has the numbers to ensure the election of BJP national president Amit Shah and I&B minister Smriti Irani. It’s Gujarat’s third seat, where the BJP has decided to field Balwantsingh Rajput against Mr Patel, that is the bone of contention.

Till just last month, Mr Rajput was Gujarat Congress’ chief whip in the Assembly.

Speaking against the introduction of Nota in Rajya Sabha, Congress MP Anand Sharma said, “It vitiates the election... Constitution has not been amended. Representation of the People Act has not been amended. (yet) Nota has been introduced... Unless the Constitution is amended, how can this be done?” Mr Sharma also said that if a change was required, it meant amending a legislation, which has to be done by Parliament. Responding to Mr Sharma, the Leader of the House and finance minister Arun Jaitley said, “The judgment came several years before this government came to power. The Election Commission, pursuant to that judgment, had issued some notification under Article 324. Article 324 covers all election in this country and therefore that’s a circular which they issued. Not now. Earlier.” Mr Jaitley further added that “if a person is aggrieved, he has other options.” To which Mr Sharma said that even the President and Vice-President’s election should have had NOTA, and rules cannot be introduced just days before the RS polls are due. Election are due on August 8.

Later in the day a Congress delegation consisting of Anand Sharma and Manish Tewari met the Election Commission of India. The Congress leaders urged the EC not to make the option of NOTA available in the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. The Congress’ argument is that the Supreme Court’s judgment on making NOTA applicable was for direct elections, while Rajya Sabha elections are indirect elections. Mr Ahmed Patel tweeted, “First Rajya Sabha election was postponed, second NOTA was permitted post notification. Reasons best known to the Election Commission.”