Legislative History
Chequered history of Legislative Councils in India
With Mamata Banerjee ' s latest demand , the revival or abolition of Legislative Councils has become one of political expediency
KALYANI SHANKAR
One more flash point has emerged between the Centre and West Bengal with chief minister Mamata Banerjee ' s cabinet last week deciding to revive the Legislative Council . It was one of her campaign promises . Banerjee had said that eminent people and veteran leaders who were not selected for assembly tickets would be made members of the Vidhan Parishad . In other words , she wants some more leeway for her patronage .
The revival or abolition of legislative councils has become one of political expediency . The Legislative Council is constituted as per Article 168 of the Indian Constitution . Currently only six states - Bihar , Uttar Pradesh , Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh , Telangana , and Karnataka - have Legislative Councils . Kashmir too had one , until the state was bifurcated into Union Territories of J & K and Ladakh in 2019 .
16 Legacy India | June 2021
India ' s transition from unicameral to bicameral legislature started under the Government of India Act , 1919 , which established the Rajya Sabha in 1921 . The Simon Commission in 1927 , citing complexity and expenditure , was also divided about its feasibility . Then the Government
Currently only six states - Bihar , Uttar Pradesh , Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh , Telangana , and Karnataka - have Legislative Councils . Kashmir too had one , until the state was bifurcated into Union Territories of J & K and Ladakh in 2019 .
of India Act of 1935 set up bicameral legislatures in Indian provinces .
The framers of the Constitution felt that in the beginning , the states of Bihar , Bombay , Madras , Punjab , the United Provinces , and West Bengal would have a Legislative Council . The Constitution gives limited powers to the Legislative Council .
Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy , Bengal ' s first chief minister after Independence , formed the Vidhan Parishad in 1952 . When the Congress lost power in many states in 1967 , the United Front coalition government in West Bengal got the council abolished in 1969 .
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