‘Modi first brought right to reject’

Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict on the voters’ right to reject all candidates in polls, Delhi BJP on Saturday claimed it was first introduced in Gujarat by Narendra Modi. “We welcome the right to reject judgment. The BJP thinks, it could be brought after a discussion among political parties. It was first introduced in Gujarat. When voting was made compulsory (by Narendra Modi) it was part of it,” Delhi BJP chief Vijay Goel told reporters while speaking about Narendra Modi’s rally to be held here on Sunday. Gujarat Assembly in December 2009 passed a bill which made, for the first time in the country, voting mandatory in local body polls. Hailing the SC judgment, Modi had said on Friday that a bill on compulsory voting which included the Right to Reject was brought in the Gujarat assembly which, after stiff opposition from Congress was passed though the governor has not cleared it.