Law minister Moily wary of money power in politics

Millionaires in politics may be the latest trend, but career politicians are wary of them. At least this was the sentiment expressed by law minister Veerappa Moily in Rajya Sabha as he midwifed the Representation of People (second amendment) Bill, 2008,  The Bill is a comprehensive re-look at electoral reforms, which includes raising the security deposit for those wanting to contest elections so that non-serious candidates are weeded out. Money power, Moily said, was a “cancer in the body of politics... we have to deal with it. We need to put a halt to it. We are all united to fight against such kind of forces.”

“There is a need for political consensus and I am open for a debate on the issue,” he said. “Those with big money, who earlier supported candidates during elections, they themselves are becoming candidates now,” he said, adding that money power may put democracy “in peril.”

The minister also told the House that he was in favour of bringing a bill to facilitate voting rights to Indian citizens who have gone abroad for employment or education. “We will bring about that bill, which is being finalised. I need to discuss this with my colleagues and bring the bill in this session,” he said.

Some members also demanded that exit polls conducted by media houses be banned by the election commission as in staggered polling this may affect viewers’ voting behaviour. Moily said that media should act responsibly in the matter.