LJP drops demand for NGT chief's removal

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), an ally in the Modi government, has dropped its demand for removal of Justice AK Goel as the National Green Tribunal (NGT) chairman.

The party has withdrawn its demand following the Union Cabinet's nod to bringing a bill in Parliament for nullifying the Supreme Court verdict which diluted the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Justice Goel was part of the apex court bench which had passed the verdict.

"Since the government has approved a bill to nullify the court's verdict, the demand for Justice Goel's removal becomes irrelevant. I do not have any personal grudge against him (Justice Goel)," LJP leader Chirag Paswan, son of Union minister Ramvilas Paswan and a Member of Parliament (MP), told reporters here on Friday while replying to a question at a press conference.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acceding to his party's demand, hailing the cabinet's decision.

The LJP had earlier threatened to quit the NDA if the Modi government failed to take steps to nullify the Supreme Court verdict. The party had also demanded to bring an Ordinance to override the apex court's verdict in view of a nation-wide resentment among the SC and ST communities over the court's judgement.

Paswan said that the government's decision to nullify the apex court's judgment has “silenced” Opposition parties, accusing them of “misleading” the people of the country with regard to the NDA government's commitment towards welfare and protection of Dalits in the country.

Chirag also appealed to the Dalit organisations to withdraw their call for 'Bharat Bandh' on August 9 in view of the government's decision.

“There is no need for it (Bharat bandh) now,” he added.

Paswan hoped that the bill will soon be introduced in Parliament and passed during the ongoing monsoon session.