Election Commission recognizes Aam Aadmi Party as a state party

Election Commission recognizes Aam Aadmi Party as a state party 

The Election Commission has recognised Aam Aadmi Party as a state party on the basis of its performance in the just-concluded Delhi Assembly polls. The recognition to AAP, which is in the process of deciding on whether to form its government in Delhi with Congress support, came last evening after it fulfilled the laid criterion in this regard.

As per laid norms, a party may be recognised by the Election Commission if it wins at least three per cent seats, subject to a minimum of three seats and at least six per cent of total valid votes. Broom has also been reserved as its symbol.

The AAP has far outperformed on this criterion in Delhi assembly polls where it won 28 seats in the 70-member House and took over 25 per cent vote share.

Political career for Indina Youth-Parliament Passes the Historic Lokpal and Lokayuktha Bill

Parliament Passes the Historic Lokpal and Lokayuktha Bill

Parliament has passed the Lokpal Bill with the Lok Sabha approving it by a voice vote. The Rajya Sabha had passed it yesterday (17.12.13).The Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die today after adopting the historic Lokpal Bill.

Earlier, as soon as the Lok Sabha reassembled at noon after its first adjournment, the house took up the bill amid slogan shouting by members from Andhra Pradesh against the bifurcation of the State. Law and Justice Minister Kapil Sibal said that enough discussion had taken place in this house in 2011 and also in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. He urged the members to pass the bill as amended and passed by the Rajya Sabha.

Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj said that the house has not functioned even for a single day during the current session which began on the 5th of this month. She said if house could pass this bill today, it would be a memorable session. Mrs Swaraj expressed concern that the proceedings in the house have been stalled all along by the members of the ruling party and its allies.

Participating in the discussion, Rahul Gandhi of the Congress said it is a historic moment today when the house could pass the bill which was not passed during the last 45 years. He said the Lokpal bill alone is not enough to fight corruption and the country needs a comprehensive anti-corruption code. Mr Gandhi said six bills to combat corruption are pending in the two houses of Parliament. They have to be passed in the current session, no matter the session has to be extended beyond Friday.

Opposing the bill, Mulayam Singh Yadav of Samajwadi party said it is very dangerous bill and it will destroy the country. He said no officer would like to take any decision fearing action by Lokpal. Sharad Yadav of Janata Dal United criticized the provision of the bill which brings Prime Minister under its ambit.

Supreme Court Judgement-Supreme Court suggests sweeping reforms in functioning of Bureaucracy

Supreme Court suggests sweeping reforms in functioning of Bureaucracy

The Supreme Court has asked the Centre, States and Union Territories to issue directions for providing fixed tenure to civil servants.

The apex court also said Civil Services Board to be constituted at the Centre and State-levels. Suggesting sweeping reforms in the functioning of bureaucracy, a bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan said Parliament must enact a law to regulate postings, transfers and disciplinary action against bureaucrats. 

Holding that much of the deterioration in bureaucracy is because of political interference, it said that civil servants should not act on verbal orders given by political executives and all actions must be taken by them on the basis of written communication.

The bench also comprising justice P C Ghose said giving a fixed minimum tenure to a civil servant will not only promote professionalism and efficiency, but also good governance.

The apex court passed the verdict on a PIL filed by 83 retired bureaucrats including former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian seeking its directions for insulating bureaucracy from political interference.

The petitioners also include former Indian Ambassador to the US Abid Hussain, former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, former Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy, former IPS officer Ved Prakash Marwah, and former CBI directors Joginder Singh and D R Kaarthikeyan. Former Cabinet Secretary T S R Subramanian said, this is a landmark judgement. Public servants are not private servants.

Former Election Commissioner T S Krishna Murthy lauded the verdict, saying Good governance is critical to good quality democracy.

The over 4,700-member strong Indian Administrative Service, IAS officers' association has welcomed the Supreme Court verdict saying it will help in ensuring good governance.

IAS officers' association secretary Sanjay R Bhoos Reddy said, it will help in good governance across the country. He said, it is necessary that the judgement not only gets implemented in letter but in spirit also. The association of Indian Forest Service also supported the apex court verdict.

Supreme Court Judgement-Apex Court rules that Municipal Councilors are public servants

Apex Court rules that Municipal Councilors are public servants and can be tried under Prevention of Corruption Act.

            In another significant ruling, Supreme Court said Municipal Councillors come under the category of public servants and they can be prosecuted for their corrupt activities under the Prevention of Corruption, PC Act. The court said, the PC Act, 1988 envisages widening of the scope of the definition of the expression "public servant" and it was brought in force to purify public administration.

            A Bench of Justices C K Prasad and J S Khehar was deciding an appeal by Manish Trivedi who as a Municipal Councillor from Banswara in Rajasthan and a member of the Municipal Board in 2000, was accused of taking bribe and named in a charge sheet under the PC Act.

Political Career for Indian Youth:Supreme Court Judgement: Citizens have right to cast negative vote, to reject all candidates contesting Poll

Supreme Court Judgement:  Citizens have right to cast negative vote, to reject all candidates contesting Poll

In a landmark verdict, the Supreme Court today held that citizens have the right to cast negative vote rejecting all candidates contesting the polls. The apex court directed the Election Commission to provide 'none of the above options' at the end of the list of candidates in electronic voting machines (EVMs) and ballot papers to allow voters to reject those contesting polls.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice P Sathasivam said that negative voting would foster purity and vibrancy of elections and ensure wide participation as people who are not satisfied with the candidates in the fray would also turn up to express their opinion rejecting contestants. It said that the concept of negative voting would bring a systemic change in the election process as the political parties will be forced to project clean candidates in polls.

The Bench noted that the concept of negative voting is prevalent in 13 countries and even in India, Parliamentarians are given an option to press the button for abstaining while voting takes place in the House. The court said, right to reject candidates in elections is part of fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression given by the Constitution to Indian citizens. It said that democracy is all about choice and significance of right of citizens to cast negative voting is massive.

The apex court passed the order on a PIL filed by an NGO, People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). The latest verdict is part of series of judgements passed by the apex court on the election process. Earlier, the apex court had restrained people in custody from contesting elections. The apex court has also ruled that MPs and MLAs would stand disqualified after being convicted of serious crimes. The government has brought an ordinance seeking to negate the court's judgement striking down a provision in the electoral law that protected convicted lawmakers from immediate disqualification

The Centre today said that it will study and examine the implications of the Supreme Court order on inclusion of Right to Reject button in electronic voting machine. Responding to queries by the media in New Delhi today, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said, it is equally incumbent on the government to apply to itself any order of the Supreme Court. Mr Tewari said, the government will consult all stakeholders and respond in due course.

Political career for Indian Youth-Supreme Court rules a person in jail or in police custody is not entitled to contest election for legislative bodies

Supreme Court rules a person in jail or in police custody is not entitled to contest election for legislative bodies

The Supreme Court has ruled that a person in jail or in police custody is not entitled to contest election for legislative bodies. This brings an end to the era of under trial politicians fighting polls from behind bars.

In another path breaking verdict to prevent criminal elements from entering Parliament and state assemblies, the apex court ruled that only an elector can contest the polls and the elector ceases the right to cast vote due to confinement in prison or being in custody of police.

The court, however, made it clear that disqualification will not be applicable to person subjected to preventive detention under any law.

Referring to the Representation of Peoples' Act, a bench of justices A K Patnaik and S J Mukhopadhayay said that the Act (Section 4 & 5) lays down the qualifications for membership of the House of the People and Legislative Assembly and one of the qualifications laid down is that he must be an elector.

The court passed the order on an appeal filed by the Chief Election Commissioner and others challenging a Patna High Court order barring people in police custody to contest polls.

Earlier in a landmark judgement yesterday, the same bench had struck down a provision in the the Representation of Peoples Act that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts. The bench had also made it clear that MPs, MLAs and MLCs will stand disqualified on the date of conviction.

Political career for Indian Youth-MPs and MLAs to be disqualified from membership of legislature from the date of conviction in criminal charges, rules Supreme Court.

MPs and MLAs to be disqualified from membership of legislature from the date of conviction in criminal charges, rules Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has ruled  (on 10^th July 2013) that MPs and MLAs have to quit if they are convicted of a crime and they cannot stay on regardless of appeals to higher courts. The Court struck down a provision in the Representation of Peoples, act that protects convicted MPs and MLAs from disqualification if they appeal to a higher court. The verdict however, will not affect Lawmakers who have already filed appeals against their conviction.

The verdict seeks to remove the discrimination between an ordinary individual and an elected law maker who enjoys protection under the RP Act.

The Election Commission, in its reports from time to time, has been seeking an amendment of the law for the removal of the incumbent advantage to elected MPs and MLAs convicted of various offences.

Reacting to the top court's ruling the Government was cautious, saying it will go through the detailed judgement to see its impact on the politics of the country and hold consultations before deciding on the next step. Law Minister Kapil Sibal said in New Delhi that political parties will be consulted on the issue.

The Congress welcomed the Supreme Court judgement. Talking to reporters in New Delhi party spokesperson, Renuka Choudhary said that the Congress has taken many steps to bring transparency in government functioning including the Right to Information.

Echoing similar views, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said his party always supported any move that brings transparency in public life.

Career for Indian Youth- Union Cabinet expanded with Eight Ministers

Union Cabinet expanded 

         The Union Council of Ministers was expanded on Monday with the induction of four cabinet ministers and four Ministers of State(MOS). The ministers who were inducted as Cabinet Ministers are Sisram Ola, Oscar Fernandes, Girija Vyas and Dr K S Rao. Mr. Fernandes has been given the charge of Road and Highways Ministry, Girija Vyas got Housing and Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Sis Ram Ola Labour and Employment Ministry and K S Rao, Textiles Ministry. Mr. Mallikarjun Kharge will be the new Minister for Railways.

Manikrao Gavit has been made Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Santosh Chowdhury, MoS Health and Family Welfare, J D Seelam,MoS Finance and E M S Natchiappan Commerce and Industry. The newly inducted Ministers were administered the oath of office and secrecy by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function in Rashtrpati Bhawan this evening.

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Union Ministers and senior congress leaders were also present on the occasion.

This expansion-cum-reshuffle of the Council of Ministers was necessitated by the exit of DMK Ministers as well as resignation of Pawan Kumar Bansal, Ashwani Kumar, Ajay Maken and Dr. C P Joshi.                 

Political Career for Indian Youth-Jananta Dal United-JD (U) splits BJP after 17 years Relationships

Jananta Dal United, JD (U) splits BJP after 17 years Relationships

The 17-year old alliance between JDU and BJP has come to an end. The JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the break up of the coalition at a press conference in Patna on Sunday, exactly a week after Narendra Modi was made the BJP's Campaign committee chairman. Sharad Yadav said that continuing alliance with BJP had become difficult as it deviated from the national agenda of the alliance. He said, "We cannot compromise with our basic principles. We were forced to take this decision." Mr Yadav also quit as Convenor of the NDA.

Heading the eight-year-old coalition in the state, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said that he will seek a vote of confidence at a special session of the State Assembly on June 19. He said that the Governor has been urged to call the special session. He said that he has also recommended to the Governor remove all the 11 BJP Ministers from his cabinet. Kumar drove to Raj Bhawan after he had a meeting with JD (U) leaders at his residence. Earlier, Mr. Kumar held an emergency cabinet meeting. All BJP Ministers abstained.

In the 243-member state Assembly, the JD (U) has 118 MLAs and BJP 91. JD (U) just needs four MLAs for a majority. Independents and 'Others' account for 6 MLAs. The main Opposition RJD has 22 and Congress four.

Ajay Maken Resigns from Union Cabinet

Ajay Maken Resigns as Union Cabinet Minister to work for the Party

The Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Minister Ajay Maken has resigned from the Union Cabinet. Mr Maken, who tendered his resignation last night, has expressed his desire to work for the Congress party.

49-year-old Maken, a Delhi Congress leader, is expected to be assigned a position in the AICC, most probably as a General Secretary.

The possibility of his being appointed as Delhi Congress President is also being talked about. Congress sources said, a reshuffle in the party organisation is also being firmed up.

He was earlier Minister of State for Home Affairs and was later given independent charge of Sports and Youth Affairs. Mr Maken was elevated to the Cabinet rank in October last year.

Advani accepts the BJP Parliamentary decision on his resignation

 Advani accepts the BJP Parliamentary decision on his resignation

The Veteran BJP leader Mr L K Advani has accepted the decision of Party's Parliamentary Board which had yesterday unanimously rejected his resignation from party's various posts. Briefing reporters after holding a meeting with Advani in company of other leaders in New Delhi, the party President Rajnath Singh said that he has assured Advani to address his concerns about the functioning of the party. Mr Singh said that Advani has accepted the RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's advice to respect the party decision and continue to guide the party in the national interest. The RSS Chief had spoken to Advani in this regard.

At an urgent meeting, the Parliamentary Board of the Party had unanimously rejected Mr. Advani's resignation from Parliamentary Board, National Executive and the Election Committee. Mr Advani had resigned reportedly in protest against elevation of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as Campaign Committee Chief plunging the main opposition party into a crisis. In his resignation letter to the Party President, Advani rued that the BJP was no longer an idealistic party whose leaders are pursuing their personal agenda.

Political career for Indian Youth-BJP names Narendra Modi as Campaign Committee Chief for 2014 General Elections

The BJP on 9th June 2013 appointed the Gujarat Chief Minister Narender Modi as Chairman of the BJP Election Campaign Committee for 2014 general elections. The announcement was made by the Party President Rajnath Singh in his address to the concluding session of the Party's National Executive meet in Panaji, Goa.