212 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
The House will be able to see for itself what those amendments are.
Mr. Speaker : Motion moved :
“ That the Bill to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1950, be taken into consideration. ”
- Shri Sarwate (Madhya Bharat) : I may in this connection refer to article 240 of the Constitution which says that “ as soon as possible....”
Dr. Ambedkar : Where is “ as soon as possible ” ?
Shri Sarwate : It was meant when the article was framed.
** Shri Kamath : So far as the present Bill is concerned and so far as the Member for Manipur and Tripura in the Council of States is concerned, this Bill is silent on the point whether the President will nominate a Member who has got experience of these matters or has got a special knowledge of these matters. I would like Dr. Ambedkar to throw some light on this, but my impression is that the nominated Member will be in addition to the 12 which are referred to in clause (1) (a) of article 80 of the Constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar : He would be out of the 238.
Shri Kamath : I am glad that Dr. Ambedkar has given us the correct interpretation of this article. Therefore it is 13. Mr. Tyagi tells me that it is a bad number; I do not know whether it is really bad.
*** Mr. Speaker :** I was referring to all the Members, from Part A, Part B and Part C States, because all are interested in a proper democratic set-up. I mentioned particularly those from Part C States because it is only those that are most affected by this Bill. That is why I suggested that they should
- P. D., Vol. 7, Part II, 13th December 1950, p. 1711.
** Ibid., p. 1716.
*** Ibid., 14th December 1950, p. 1779-80.