New Delhi: BJP’s Sultanpur MP Varun Gandhi said people’s representatives are “not sacrosanct” and need to “hold higher public standards”.
Mr Gandhi introduced a private member Bill on the electorate’s right to recall its representative if not satisfied with his or her performance.
“There should be increased accountability as well as increased transparency in the elections and also more power in people’s hand,” he said.
“People cannot be just mute witness to the political process. The electorate should lead and direct political narrative,” Mr Gandhi said.
The Bill states that an MP or an MLA could be recalled within two years from being elected if 75 per cent of those who voted for them are not satisfied with their performance. Mr Gandhi said the Bill needs to be debated, improved and perfected not just in Parliament but also in the court of public opinion.
The Bill moved by the BJP MP, titled Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2016, states that MPs and MLAs may be recalled by filing a petition before the Lok Sabha Speaker, signed by at least one-fourth of the total number of electors in that constituency.
Mr Gandhi said the Bill has checks and balances to ensure that its provisions are not misused.
