Parties concerned over SC's criminal candidate order

Political arties united Thursday against a Supreme Court order on criminals in politics and wanted the government to address the issue during the monsoon session of parliament.

Leaders belonging to the Left parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) expressed concern over the implications of the court order that disqualifies a legislator if convicted in a criminal case and bars him from contesting the polls if under arrest.

They said the government should address the issue as misuse of the law could be rampant just before any election.

"We want a discussion on the apex court order," CPI-M leader Basudeb Acharia said after an all-party meeting called by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath.

The BJP's Ravi Shankar Prasad, JD-U president Sharad Yadav and RJD chief Lalu Prasad also expressed their concern.

They also expressed concern over another Supreme Court order that bars reservations in super-speciality courses in medical colleges.

"The reservation issue has been settled. Why do the courts have to pass an order on it time and again. They give such orders, so the session may be disrupted," said Sharad Yadav.

"Leaders expressed serious concerns on the SC orders and erosion of supremacy of parliament," said Kamal Nath.

Besides, other issues raised by opposition leaders were debates on food security ordinance, land acquisition bill, judicial commission, condition of economy, rampant corruption in the mid-day meal scheme and floods in Uttarakhand.

Agreeing that judicial commission on appointment of judges was required, Ravi Shankar Prasad said his party would also like to raise the ongoing tussle between the CBI and the IB in the Ishrat Jahan shootout case.

"Consensus on the food ordinance will be evolved after the debate," said Sharad Yadav.

"We will support the food ordinance," said Lalu Prasad.

The all-party meet, attended by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, was called to discuss smooth functioning of the monsoon session of parliament from August 5.

"We had a constructive meeting. The parties agreed on smooth running of parliament," said Kamal Nath.