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.

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.