With the Supreme Court observing “alarming increase in criminalisation of politics” and directing parties to upload online details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, the Congress on Thursday hit out at the BJP for appointing an accused in mining cases as the Forest & Environment Minister in Karnataka and alleged that the directive has already been torn to shreds by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Supreme Court has asked all political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.
The Supreme Court has asked all political parties to upload on their website details of pending criminal cases against candidates contesting polls, noting that there has been an alarming increase in criminalisation of politics.
The apex court said political parties will also have to upload reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases on their website.
The apex court said political parties will also have to upload reasons for selecting candidates with pending criminal cases on their website.
"Today itself, Modi ji has torn to shreds the orders of giving reasons for giving tickets to leaders accused in cases," Surjewala tweeted with a news report on Anand Singh, accused in mining and forest crimes, being appointed the new minister for forest, environment and ecology in Karnataka.
"Modi ji & BJP again come to the rescue of 'Bellary Gang'! SC says give reasons for giving tickets to tainted Netas or contempt! Modiji says make tainted Netas not MLA's alone but Ministers of the ministry, which has been allegedly looted! Will SC issue contempt of PM and Karnataka CM?" Surjewala asked.
At a press conference, Cong spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said his party welcomes the apex court's decision as it was an important step towards decriminalising politics.
"The judgment of the SC is a vindication of Rahul Gandhi's fight against criminalisation of politics and his stand to make politics free from crime and criminals," he said.
As this historic judgment has come, the BJP has appointed Anand Singh as minister in Karnataka, despite there being 15 cases of corruption against him, Shergill said.
"The BJP is believer of politics of crime and criminals and not clean and clear politics," he said. The ruling BJP has welcomed the verdict saying it is good for the electoral process.
The BJP said the Supreme Court direction that all political parties upload on their websites details of pending criminal cases against their candidates would strengthen electoral democracy.
It also said the directions would enable voters to make a choice keeping "all factors" in mind when they cast their vote. BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said the orders of the top court have to be complied with. "It strengthens the electoral democratic process in enabling the voters to make a choice keeping all factors in mind," he said.