Ramchander Rao Questions Congress Opposition to Amendment

Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao on Monday defended the proposed Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill and accused the Congress party of opposing reforms aimed at improving political accountability merely because they are being advanced by the BJP-led government.

The proposed amendment, which is expected to be taken up during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament , seeks to bar a Prime Minister, Chief Minister, or Minister from continuing in office if they are arrested in a serious criminal case carrying a punishment of five years or more and remain in judicial custody for over 30 consecutive days .

Speaking to the media in Hyderabad, Ramchander Rao described the proposal as a step towards strengthening public trust in governance and addressing the long-standing issue of the criminalisation of politics . He argued that elected representatives holding executive office should be subject to high standards of accountability and transparency.

The BJP leader alleged that the Congress has adopted a blanket policy of opposing every major initiative of the Centre, irrespective of its merits. According to him, reforms intended to improve the quality of governance should receive bipartisan support rather than become subjects of political confrontation.

Referring to earlier debates on electoral reforms, Ramchander Rao recalled that the UPA government had explored measures to prevent individuals facing serious criminal charges from entering the electoral arena. He also cited a past controversy involving Rahul Gandhi , claiming that proposals aimed at tightening norms for politicians facing criminal cases were not supported within the Congress itself.

The proposed amendment has already generated a wider national debate. Supporters say it would reinforce ethical standards in public life and prevent constitutional offices from being occupied by individuals facing serious criminal proceedings while in extended custody. Critics, however, argue that such a provision could be vulnerable to misuse through politically motivated arrests and may conflict with the legal principle that a person remains innocent until proven guilty.

Ramchander Rao questioned why Congress was opposing what he described as a genuine effort to cleanse the political system. He maintained that reducing the influence of criminal elements in governance has been a recurring demand from civil society, election watchdogs, and judicial institutions.

The Telangana BJP chief also responded to recent remarks by Congress MP Mallu Ravi , who had linked the BJP’s electoral success to the influence of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) . Rejecting the claim, Ramchander Rao said the BJP’s victories stem primarily from public support and grassroots outreach , not from any single organisation.

He further alleged that Congress leaders were uncomfortable with the RSS’s growing presence among communities and accused the party of targeting the organisation for political reasons. According to him, the RSS continues to play an active role in social engagement and public awareness initiatives across the country.

As the proposed constitutional amendment moves closer to parliamentary consideration, it is expected to trigger intense debate over the balance between political accountability , due process , and the need for cleaner governance.