The CPI(M) today opposed passage of Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill, 2015 by Manohar Lal Khattar government, saying the legislation disqualifies socio-economically deprived section from contesting local body polls.
Terming the Haryana government's move as "blatant violation of the Constitutional rights", the Left party called for judicial intervention into undemocratic violation of Constitution and principles of social justice.
The BJP-led state government had on September 7 passed the bill which laid eligibility criteria for candidates like having minimum educational qualification, proof of possessing pucca toilet, no default of any bank loan, power dues, etc.
The bill was passed by the government after withdrawing its ordinance in this regard allegedly in view of a petition challenging the executive order before Punjab and Haryana High Court.
"The politburo is strongly opposed to the attempts of the government to disenfranchise a huge section of population from contesting the ensuing panchayat elections in the state.
"It is clear that these conditions are essentially targeting people suffering from socio-economic deprivation from contesting the polls," CPI(M) said in a statement.
According to the CPI(M), 83 per cent of scheduled caste women, 72 per cent of general category women, 71 per cent of scheduled caste men and 56 per cent of general category men will be rendered ineligible to contest the polls on the educational criteria alone.
The party further alleged the move was violative of Constitutional provision of holding elections on the basis of universal adult franchise.
It was also against the spirit of 73rd Constitutional amendment which seeks to strengthen a more inclusive and participatory democracy, CPI(M) added.
"The BJP government in Rajasthan had earlier made similar curtailments in the panchayat elections. The politburo opposes this undemocratic violation of Constitution and principles of social justice. The judiciary must intervene to stop this blatant violation of the Constitutional rights," it urged.
