The Government reacted cautiously to the Supreme Court verdict on disqualification of lawmakers on conviction, saying it will hold consultations before deciding on the next step.
“We will first read the verdict and see its impact on politics. We shall consult everybody and give our reaction,” law Minister Kapil Sibal said. On whether the Government would challenge the verdict or make amendments to the Representation of the People Act (RPA), Sibal said any decision will be taken after consulting everybody, including political parties.
Congress general secretary and Communication Department chairman Ajay Maken said that the party welcomes SC ruling as it favours transparency in the political system. But only after seeing the detailed judgement the party could give comprehensive reaction, he said. Opposition parties and former Chief Election Commissioners welcomed the Supreme Court verdict.
“The process of electoral reforms should be expedited in the light of this verdict. The Government should do it on a priority basis,” BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said. Party’s deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Ravishankar Prasad said, “BJP always welcomes any step aimed at purifying and strengthening the political system.” However, the party maintained that it has not studied the Supreme Court judgement in detail and would come up with a structured response later.
Describing the judgement as an important, CPI leader D Raja said, “It is going to have a very serious implication on the entire polity. Political parties will have to study the judgement so that they will get benefited. They will have to educate their own cadres.” He said the question is as to how this is going to be implemented. “The Election Commission will have to study the judgement and Parliament will have to take a position on RP Act,” Raja said.
Former Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill welcomed the judgement saying it will make Indian democracy better. Another former CEC N Gopalaswami said, “It is a welcome judgment. It will define the way tickets are distributed the next time.” Former CEC SY Quraishi said, “This judgment will have serious and far-reaching implications for cleansing India’s political system.” Navin Chawla, another former CEC, also termed the judgment as one in the right direction that would help in cleansing the political system. “This is definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.