Daijiworld Media Network- Patna

Patna, Aug 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday strongly defended the three new legislations that seek to disqualify prime ministers, chief ministers and ministers who remain under arrest for 30 consecutive days, questioning why leaders should be allowed to govern from prison.

Addressing a massive rally in Gayaji, poll-bound Bihar, the PM drew a comparison with ordinary government employees.

“If a government employee is imprisoned for 50 hours, he automatically loses his job – whether he is a driver, a clerk or a peon. But should a chief minister, a minister, or even the Prime Minister continue to hold office while sitting in jail?” Modi asked.

He further added, “Why should governments be allowed to run from jail? Should tainted ministers continue in their posts? People expect their leaders to uphold moral integrity.”
The three bills in focus

The bills that triggered a political storm earlier this week include:

• Government of Union Territories (Amendment) Bill, 2025

• The Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025

• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2025

All three have now been referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament for further review.

Key provision

As per the proposal, if the Prime Minister, Union ministers or chief ministers are arrested and kept in custody for 30 consecutive days in connection with offences carrying a minimum jail term of five years, they will be removed from office on the 31st day.

The move has faced stiff resistance from the Congress and several opposition parties, who allege that the bills could be misused for political vendetta.