DMK president M. Karunanidhi, a key ally of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance, on Tuesday supported BJP leader L.K. Advani's suggestion that a broad-based collegium be formed to make appointments to constitutional bodies such as the Election Commission.
“I am in agreement with the views of Mr. Advani in his letter to the Prime Minster. You cannot afford to ignore these views,” he said in a statement.
Mr. Advani made out a strong case for a collegium, with the Prime Minister as its chairman and the Chief Justice of India, the Minister for Law and Justice and the Leaders of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha as its members.
Mr. Karunanidhi pointed to Mr. Advani's argument that the present system of Election Commission members being appointed by the President, only on the advice of the Prime Minister, did not inspire confidence in people and that appointments should be done in a bipartisan manner to remove any impression of bias or lack of transparency and fairness. He expressed the hope that the Prime Minister would attach importance to the senior BJP leader's opinion.
Keywords: CAG appointment, Advani suggestion, Karunanidhi remark, CPI(M)
No politician will accept a personality like TN Seshan as CEC. Hence, no matter the opposition is consulted or not while appointing CEC etc :-)
Karunanidhi's stand is welcome. But it would be interesting to see whether the DMK and ADMK, the two main parties who have been governing TN since 1968 will support collegiums for appointment of posts like State Human Rights commission, Minorities commission, Information Commission etc at the state level. Though both the parties are strong proponents of Lokpal at Centre, they have not even promised setting up of Lok Ayukts at state level. Both parties cite the federalism bogey when Center speaks about that. It would be interesting to see which of the two parties would promise setting up of Lok Ayuktas at state level, especially since Lokpal is one of the recurrent themes for the last few years.Their silience on this LokAyukta is deafening.
EC should be run by a non-political body of the bureaucracy
Mr Advani's suggestions should be taken seriously. Mechanisms should be in place to allow extremely clean individuals to manage these posts, and a bipartisan approach is a way forward. In order to allow strong governments at the centre and state, any party that gains the maximum percentage votes (above 20% of the polled votes), should be able to have 55%, seats in the Lok Sabha. National and state elections should be held at the same time once every 5years, with the time table fixed for 25 years.
Any system based on meritocracy, can only be good. Our current system of appointing Presidents is pro ruling party and reinforces the 'rubber stamp' image. The post as it stands today has no real meaning particularly if it is held by weak individuals. To continue without reforming the selection process is a waste of public money, denigrates the office and the post should be removed altogether.
Why we always give emphasis to make process more complex. It matters a
least if president elects him on prime minister's advice or he is
elected by a collegium, the thing matter most is honest will to work
for a better India. We can have the example of our current CAG who
single handedly unveiled many powerful politicians and don't forget,
he was also elected from same process. What is the assurance that a
group of politicians will elect more honest man compare to a
President,even when there is high uncertainty of current alliance
government theme and everyday some new scam is coming out across all
parties.
I feel CEC & CAG should be chosen by someone totally outside the political system like the Chief Justice of India after thoroughly checking his/her background in all ways & then sending it to the President for recommendations.
These are the only 2 posts/people the entire political class is afraid of.
A welcome suggestion by Advaniji. Indian politics is moving towards a phase where even the president and prime minister are not free from bias. Political control exhibited by a party chief is sometimes strong enough to influence the people in high constitutional posts as we observe in the current congress regime in both the cases of prime-minister and president which makes a mockery of the neutrality of such roles.
Collegium will bring acceptable at the same time right people at the right position. It is a good suggestion and we need to appreciate atleast some political leaders from different quarter agreeing this idea.
It is an excellent suggestion. But I doubt whether the Congress led government would accept it.
If there must be a collegium to appoint persons to the post of CAG and CEC then that collegium must be more broadbased to have not just politicians but also other accomplished elders from the society. We just cannot trust the politicians to do the right things anymore until the wrongs are righted and we see quality and consistency in their words and deeds for nation building. If there is no precedence in the constitution for taking in members to the collegium from outside members of parliament then so too let an acceptable precedent be set by the members of parliament for the specific purpose and let that process of selection and the profile of shortlisted candidates be made available to the public well in advance for an electronic referundum of approval. Actually, it will be good for Indian democracy if candidates for MLAs and MPs face the litmus test of public approval by electronic referendum in their constituency before they are nominated by their party to contest elections.
Dear Advani ji , it is good thinking but I think the fault lies some where else that need to be corrected.Beside the present elections to the lower house is ok but the upper house & the president must be also be elected by the people of India directly so that people have their say at least through some of them if others chose to ditch them & most important factor is eligibility conditions of members needs revision for that we need to use referendum not the 500 odd people doing it & rest of populace fee cheated.
A collegium in appointments is the best. The Congress Party reaction is quite disappointing. The members of the collegium for appointing Election Commission should ideally include the State legislatures also, but there should be strict guidelines as per eligibility to hold any of these posts.
DMK supremo Shri.M.Karunanidhi's views on BJP veteran Shri.L.K.Advani's suggestion for a Collegium to appoint Election Commissioners and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India,is truly a welcome development,in the larger interest and well being of our nation. I earnestly wish that the leaders of all responsible political parties should endorse the same, in order to eliminate corruption and strengthen democracy in India.Political parties should rise above petty differnces and work together on matters pertaining to larger national interest.
Yes, Mr. Advani is right by raising this important issue, and supported
by DMK and CPM, which shows that there is a flaw in the selection
process and all (political parties) are aware of the issue. Let Mr. PM
respond with a positive note. I, however, have the same concern since
many years as it is pro-political and will favor the government in
actions.
By far the senior most politician/leader/statesman,Mr.Advani must give up his political ambitions.He is more acceptable to all Indians as the pitamah of India(along with pranab daa who is and will continue to be a politician only and never a leader)at this stage in his life(remember his Jinnah coments).His advise and suggestions as with ref to the above subject are welcome and should be given due importance as coming from a well wisher of the nation than as an opposition leader
I am in aggreement with advani's suggestion on appointment of CEC & CAG, but opposition should first act responsibly only then they can reach a consensus. If the opposition always opposes the candidate selected by Prime Minister for no reasons then that post will remain vacant for months and it will not enjoy people confidence.
No matter from whom suggestions come from if they are worth consideration they should be given a try. If one does not like a person it does not mean one dislikes his ideas. Today India needs reforms/research in all its laws in order to make democracy relevant to our times and situations.
For the characters of the President, Election Commissioner, Controller and Auditor General of India, One of the basic and foremost demanding virtue is to be secular and unbiased. Mr.Advani remarks cannot be neglected as just he is standing in the opposition side. And, As his views are very right, Congress should do further thought & introspection on the same.
Sanctity of the Election Commission should be left to the Bureaucrats who have gained knowledge on electoral governance over a period of time and do not have any affinity to political parties.
The idea to elect CEC by elected members is like electing the Jail Superindent by the prisoners of that particular Jail.
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