The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has filed an application in the Supreme Court opposing a PIL against political parties promising free schemes during election campaigns. The party has said in its application that election promises like free water, free electricity, and free transport are not free, as these schemes are very important in an unequal society. The party has also demanded to make itself a party in the matter. The party called such declarations a democratic and constitutional right of political parties. The AAP also questioned the intention of the petitioner by describing him as a member of the BJP.
The top court had asked the central government and NITI Aayog to suggest measures
The top court had on August 3 asked stakeholders such as the Centre, NITI Aayog, Finance Commission, and RBI to consider the issue of promising free schemes during elections and give constructive suggestions to deal with it. The court had indicated to order the government to set up a mechanism to suggest measures to deal with the issue.
Supreme Court expressed concern
Let us tell you that last week a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana of the Supreme Court expressed concern over the damage being done to the economy by unnecessary free schemes. Citing the outstanding debt of lakhs of crores of rupees on the states, the Supreme Court had indicated to constitute a committee to resolve the matter.
Know what was said in Ashwini Upadhyay's petition?
A plea by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay has sought from the Supreme Court that the announcement of free schemes during the election campaign should be seen as bribing voters. The Election Commission, in the exercise of its powers, should cancel the recognition of the party making such a declaration.
The Election Commission gave this opinion
During the hearing of this petition in April, the Election Commission told the Supreme Court that giving gifts before or after elections is a policy decision of political parties. He cannot control the policies of the state and the decisions taken by the parties. The commission said that what are the negative effects of such policies. Are they economically viable or not? It is the job of the voters to decide this.
The commission, in its affidavit, had said that the offer/distribution of any free service before or after the election is a policy decision of the party concerned and whether such policies are economically viable or hurt the economic health of the state, The voters of the state should take a decision after considering this question.
The Election Commission had filed this affidavit in response to a PIL filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay. The petition claimed that irrational freebies or distribution of public money before elections shakes the roots of a free and fair election. Undermines the accuracy of the election process. Parties must be conditioned that they will not promise or distribute things free of cost from the public fund.
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