While political opinions varied on Friday’s Supreme Court verdict favouring ‘no vote’ option in the elections, former Speaker Somnath Chatterjee wondered whether such ruling was an infringement in the legislature’s prerogative to frame laws.
“I am at a loss to understand the verdict,” he said insisting “the Supreme Court has no authority to make laws which is the job of lawmakers.”
He wondered whether the stated “NOTA (none of the above) or whatever” option would help the cause of democracy. “How will the Indian democracy runIJ” he asked reminding the “courts should concentrate on disposing off thousands of pending cases instead of taking upon itself the job of the legislature.”
The lok Sabha had 544 seats and “if we end up sending only 250-odd Members by exercising NOTA then how will Parliament runIJ” he wondered.
Senior Bengal politician and Minister Subroto Mukherjee also felt there was no need for such a ruling. State BJP president Rahul Sinha however “whole-heartedly supported the verdict saying “this order will go a distance in strengthening the democracy in India by throwing out the undesirable elements from politics.”