The historic ruling of the Supreme Court verdict empowering citizens with right to reject candidates in the polls have been welcomed by political parties, including the ruling BJD, the Congress and the BJP.
Senior leaders of the three major parties hailed the verdict as a welcome step towards instilling a sense of responsibility among political leaders.
The apex court on Friday held that citizens have a right to cast negative vote rejecting all candidates contesting polls, a decision which would encourage people dissatisfied with the contestants to turn up for voting.
BJD leader and Panchayati Raj Minister Kalpataru Das said, “When voters go to cast their votes and do not find any perfect candidate, now they can reject all candidates.”
Senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra said, "We welcome the Supreme Court verdict; this will compel all political parties to be selective in choosing right candidates having competency, integrity and will to serve people with sincerity. It will provide an opportunity to people to reject a candidate."
As to any disadvantage of the verdict, Mishra, who is also a senior lawyer, said, “I don’t find any demerits in this judgment.”
Youth Congress leader and MP Pradeep Majhi, however, expressed doubts about applicability of the verdict. He said, "In our country, around 30 to 35 per cent of the population is uneducated. So, I don't know how far it will be effective in such a scenario.”
In a guarded response, BJP spokesperson Suresh Pujari said, "It was a longstanding demand of voters. We welcome any such move through, which the system becomes stronger and transparent and one thing I want to say is that the common men, who fear to contest elections, will be encouraged to join politics.”
It will also prompt both regional and national political parties to choose their right candidates who can serve society without using any money and muscle power, Pujari added.