Insurance Bill passed in Rajya Sabha because of Congress: NCP

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majid Memon on Friday said the Insurance Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha because the Congress did not oppose it as the former UPA regime had come out with a similar bill in its tenure.

"As far as the Insurance Bill is concerned, the UPA Government had come out with the bill which is more or less the same. There are hardly any major changes. And, therefore, it was the strategy of the Congress not to oppose the present bill and once Congress agrees, which has a major number of people in Rajya Sabha, the bill has been through," said Memon.

"Although BJD and TMC expressed its displeasure and walked out, but the bill was through because of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress' support," he added.

The Rajya Sabha had on Thursday passed the Insurance Amendment Bill.

According to reports, Congress MPs supported the legislature, ensuring its smooth passage in the Upper House.

The Janata Dal (United), Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) leaders had staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha, refusing to vote on the bill.