Sir — This refers to the report, “One conviction and out you go!” (July 11). The Supreme Court has done well to pronounce that MPs and MlAs must quit the House even if a trial court convicts them. This is a very timely development and is being hailed by the general public which, for far too long, has had to endure the new breed of criminal-turned netas.
The apex court’s order should go a long way in restoring the image not only of our democracy, but also of political parties whose stock has plunged in recent times. This has been reiterated by the findings of the Global Corruption Barometer 2013, which says that “political parties have been found to be the most corrupt institution in India, with a corruption rate as high as 4.4 on a scale of five (one being the least corrupt and five, the most corrupt)”.
It is hoped that political parties will take the court verdict in the proper spirit and not create hurdles in its implementation, like they have done in the case of electoral reforms. The court ruling is for their good.