Ban on convicted politicians: Cong says, will abide by SC's order

Congress leader Rajeev Shukla on Wednesday said all political leaders will abide by the decision Supreme Court will take in connections with banning convicted MPs and MLAs from contesting elections.

Speaking to ANI, Shukla said, "The Election Commission has put up its stand in the SC. Everyone will accept the decision of the apex court."

"Rahul Gandhi had taken this initiative long back when he gave a press conference", added Shukla.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to constitute special courts on lines of fast track courts for expeditious disposal of cases pending against parliamentarians and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).

The Apex Court also asked the Centre to apprise it as to how much amount would be spent on constituting the special courts.

The court gave its decision after the Election Commission asked the judicial body that there should be a life term ban on convicted parliamentarians and MLAs from contesting elections.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking debarring of convicts for life from contesting polls and stopping them from entering judiciary and the executive.