CHANGE ELECTORAL LAWS: REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE’S ACT

Restrict number of terms to maximum two
In USA and Srilanka head of the government has only two terms; i.e. George Bush can hold his office only for two terms (each term 4 years in US). But in India Mr. Nehru can rule for 17 years; Mrs. Indira Gandhi can rule for 15 years; Mr. Karunanidhi can rule for 14 years (still continuing). Is this real democracy? Remember, in India each term is for five years (one more year than US) for both provincial and national legislature. New ruler would definitely bring with him fresh ideas to govern our country.

Restrict number of constituencies contested by candidates to one
In our country we can see Mrs. Sonia Gandhi contesting in two constituencies and winning both. Then resigning one constituency; then there is re-election for that constituency; the final sufferer is tax paying common man; his hard earned money is wasted in conducting another election. Not only Mrs. Gandhi, we have many leaders across all political parties who had wasted people’s money. Mr. L. K. Advani, Mr. P.V. Narashimma Rao, Ms. Jayalalitha and Mr. Lalu Prasad are some prominent examples in the past.

Prevent Sitting Provincial Legislature member contesting National Legislature or vice versa
We can also see Mr. Mulayam Singh Yadav, a MLA, contesting for parliamentary elections while he was still a Chief Minister of UP. He had won that Parliamentary seat and then resigned it. Then there was re-election for that parliamentary seat; again people’s money was wasted.

Have Retirement age for MPs and MLAs
Only in India we can proud of achievement like oldest person to become Prime Minister. When Mr. Moraji Desai became Prime Minister, he created Guinness record for being oldest person to become Prime Minister. He was over 80 then. Most of the leading MPs and MLAs in India are over 70. Nobody should become MLA or MP after 70. I am not disgracing elderly people. I am only saying that their mind and body won’t be in best possible condition. I am not saying a youngster of 25 should become minister as comically suggested in few movies. A 45 or 55 year old can become an effective minister in a cabinet. But in Indian politics a 55 year-old is a youngster. Elderly politicians can definitely contribute to our country without contesting election. They can guide their party and our country.

Only members elected by People should be Ministers
Members of Rajya Sabha and Legislative council should be barred from becoming a minister in the cabinet. Only members elected by people through Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly should become ministers. But our Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh himself is not elected by people.