EC Overhaul required

A tall and reputed constitutional body like the Election Commission bestowed with the sacrosanct responsibility of conducting 'free and fair' elections, has acted in a very obvious, partisan manner. The developments over the past few days have left not so unfounded fears in many of the citizens of this nation, particularly so when there is a grave need for this institution to be above petty politics. Moreover when it is the conduct of elections in a 'free and fair' manner, which is pivotal to a vibrant democracy like ours. All this urgently warrants a major overhaul of the body by the President by sacking some of the tainted if the need be.

(Published in The Times of India on the 21st of March, 2006)

Jaya, RS Disqualification

It is very sad to note that motives are attributable to a once tall institution like the Election Commission, looking at the way they handled the Jaya Bachchan issue. A Rajya Sabha MP holding an 'office of profit' is not unprecedented and 'out of the blue.' This is not an issue that could be decided hastily as the Election Commission did, without much contemplation and debate, and certainly not one that warranted immediate disqualification. All these developments convey to the people that the government to further its villifying agenda is using the EC.

(Published in The Hindu on the 20th of March, 2006)