Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary Atul Kumar Anjan said the Election Commission (EC) should convene a meeting of all national and regional parties in the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling that those convicted in a criminal case will stand disqualified as a lawmaker from the date of conviction.
Speaking to reporters here on Wednesday, Anjan said the EC should discuss with the parties and find ways to block the entry of criminals into the highest law making body. Anjan wondered as to how a legislator with a criminal case or conviction with appeal pending, could participate in the law making process. According to a survey, there are over 162 members with criminal record in the Lok Sabha, he said
The democratic process in the country is conditioned by a few political parties. Cast-
eism,corruption and money and muscle power should be checked. There are many discrepancies in the People Representation Act, which also need to be discussed, the CPI leader said and stressed the need for convening an all party meeting.
On the political front, he said the left parties were trying for a non-Congress, non-BJP government at the Centre. A convention has been already organised on July 1 and discussions are on with regional parties, he added.