RP Act amendment to prove 'Politicians are not criminals'

New Delhi, Aug 28: The Representation of People (RP) Act of 1951 has probably hurt the sentiments of the politicians, especially when the apex had issued a directive saying that politicians in jail could not contest the elections.

Passing a bill to amend the same, law minister Kapil Sibal said that the apex court is extremely "erroneous" in giving such a judgement, which could impact the country's political circuit. For a change, all political leaders across the house agreed to him and criticized the fact that the court is re-instating the public idea of all politicians being criminals.

On a very firm note, Sibal said,"I dare say, in another environment, we perhaps would not get such a judgement. The environment is that political class is being looked upon with suspicion."

In its verdict, the apex court has permitted only an "elector" to contest the polls, but would not be allowed to cast votes due to imprisonment. It was, however, made clear that disqualification would not be applicable to persons subjected to preventive detention under any law.

The Upper House approved the bill after it witnessed unanimous calls for reforms in the act, cutting across political parties.

OneIndia News