Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil has sought the help of Leader of Opposition in Loka Sabha Lal Kishen Advani in passing the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill council Bill during the current Parliament session.
"This is no ordinary bill, it is a Constitutional amendment," BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said. She was upset with the manner in which the United Progressive Alliance government has introduced the bill in the Lok Sabha while it should have been introduced in the Rajya Sabha as the Standing Committee ont the Ministry of Home Affairs belongs to Rajya Sabha.
Advani called a meeting of senior party leaders, including the chief whip, where it was decided that a firm stand should be taken on the matter.
"He also spoke to speaker Somnath Chatterjee about this issue," she said.
Though External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had called Advani for a meeting at 4 pm today, it was called off and the final decision in the matter was left in the hands of Patil and Advani.
The BJP claims that the Congress will first artificially create a majority of tribals in this hill council and then deprive the non-tribals of their right to land and property.
