Expressing concern at the ‘brazen play of money power' in the Rajya Sabha elections currently under way, the Communist Party of India demanded in the Lok Sabha that the Election Commission take “note of the barbarous attempt to manipulate Parliamentary democracy through dubious means.”
Raising the issue during zero hour, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta obliquely referred to the developments relating to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the candidature of businessman Anshuman Mishra, who eventually withdrew from the fray.
Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav also raised the issue.
BJP mum
The BJP benches, which included veteran L.K. Advani and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, maintained silence.
Quoting reports, Mr. Dasgupta said NRIs were using money power to enter the legislature. He said it was a stigma on democracy.
Mr. Dasgupta then went on to narrate how an “effective” member of the Rajya Sabha had been denied ticket and some businessman had got it.
The reference was to BJP's deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha S.S. Ahluwalia being denied ticket and instead the party favouring Mr. Mishra who sought to contest the elections as an independent from Jharkhand.
Significantly, Mr. Advani had opposed the move by a section of the BJP to support the candidature of Mr. Mishra.
