NEW DELHI, Sept 25: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal today urged President Pranab Mukherjee that he should not sign any Ordinance passed by the Union Cabinet to neutralise the Supreme Court’s order mandating instant disqualification of MPs and MLAs convicted for offences carrying sentence of two years or more.
“We have sought an appointment with President to request him not to sign ordinance,” Mr Kejriwal tweeted.
“President’s office has informed he is out of town. Will be back tomo (tomorrow) eve (evening),” he said.
In a statement, AAP condemned passing of the Ordinance saying it was a “severe blow” to democracy.
“The Cabinet passed an Ordinance undoing the order of Supreme Court on convicted MPs and MLAs. Aam Aadmi Party condemns the Ordinance that has reversed the order of apex court which had debarred tainted politicians from contesting polls. The passing of this ordinance is not only a severe blow to democracy, but also exposes the intentions of the political class which has stooped to a new low to protect the corrupt,” AAP said.
It said ‘aam aadmi’ (common man) of the country has been fighting on the streets for the past two years for a strong Jan Lokpal under the leadership of social activist Anna Hazare.
AAP said for the past 42 years, the country has been demanding a strong legislation against the corrupt. However, far from passing the law, political parties ‘cheated’ the nation by making false promises — “conveniently putting the Jan Lokpal Bill in cold storage.”
Mr Kejriwal-led party said the people of the country were somewhat relieved when the Supreme Court had earlier ordered that no tainted politicians would contest elections.
The party said according to data available with Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), there were several MPs and MLAs who were facing serious charges.
“In fact, Congress and BJP fielded 19 candidates each in the last Assembly elections (Delhi) with criminal charges against them. The Ordinance that has been passed by the Cabinet has only betrayed the people again,” AAP said.
It added that the Opposition parties have also kept quiet on the issue, only proving that all parties were together in this decision.
AAP said all this indicates just one thing — the common man of this country currently has absolutely no say in the law making process today.
It said all this would only change if and only if representative democracy gives way to participatory democracy – where common people whose life these legislations impact have a direct say in the law making process.
“On its part, Aam Aadmi Party is the only party which is strict on its resolution that it would not field any candidate who has a criminal past record. Arvind Kejriwal has declared that AAP would not hesitate from withdrawing any candidate even at the last moment if criminal or corruption charges are proved against any of its candidates.
The other political parties should also promise to the people of the country that it would not field any tainted candidates — if it does so, it will be akin to treason,” AAP added. (UNI)
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