Somnath roots for recall of corrupt, inept legislators

CHANDIGARH: Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee has recommended that voters must be given a right to recall elected representatives who “ignore the interests of the people and are guilty of malfeasance and improper conduct or indulge in corrupt or criminal activities”.

Addressing media persons at the conclusion of 73rd conference of presiding officers of legislative bodies, the speaker said if the country’s president or prime minister or even judges could be removed in given circumstances, why should an MP or an MLA enjoy immunity.

Chatterjee categorically stated that if a member was found to be insensitive, incompetent, corrupt and indifferent to problems of the people, his duties or indulged in activities or behaved in a manner unbecoming of a people’s representative, his voters should be in a position to demand his recall before the expiry of his term.

“His tenure should not be sacrosanct if he fails to deliver,” the speaker said, adding that
the procedure for this should be evolved in a way that guarantees it is not misused.

There is a growing sense of disillusionment and despair among a large section of people because of the manner in which the elected representatives are functioning, the speaker rued.