Constitutional Matters Advocate On Corruption In Politics

 A country placed on 94th rank out of 176 in tackling corruption as per Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2013, where almost 33 percent of country's population fall below the international poverty line and which stands on 135th position in HDI is badly trapped in corruption and poor utilisation of country's resources. None other than corrupt politicians are responsible to drag India for such shameful merits and recognitions. The Election Commission has repeatedly said candidates with a criminal past should be barred from contesting elections. But, neither Supreme Court nor Election Commission can protect the country from the deadliest evil- 'Corruption'. "In fact, these are the people of India who are really responsible for the negative attributes and making her image as a corrupt country on world map. As democracy is the government of people, than people alone are responsible for the messy and cumbersome political governance in the country." - Kislay Pandey - Constitutional Matters Advocate, the Supreme Court of India.

Parliament is the sovereign power in a democratic country like India and court is not authorised by the constitution to make or amend laws. Understanding these constitutional limitations the Supreme Court of India in its latest verdict mentioned that, though Constitution of the country suggests that criminal leaders should not be part of the cabinet, but it can't ordered the governments to terminate or disallow MLAs, MPs and Ministers on the ground of criminal antecedents in their cabinet.

 Only Parliament can decide that those with criminal charges shall be allowed or not to hold a position in the legislative assemblies or Parliament. The apex court cleared its stand and conveyed that it is the prerogative of the prime minister to choose his ministers. "It is expected that the PM will not appoint persons against whom charges have been framed and he is facing trial. The PM and Chief Ministers should decide."- R.M. Lodha, The Chief Justice of India.

"It is ironical and painful that politicians who promote enmity among people on the basis of religion, caste, creed and region are deciding the fate of India. But, who is deciding their fates, of course the people of India. Hence, it is the responsibility of the people to think and act sensibly not in the vested interest of individuals or group of people, but in the favour of whole nation. A largest democracy is not a merit, we have to prove India as the world's greatest democracy." - Kislay Pandey - Constitutional Matters Advocate, the Supreme Court of India.

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