Right to reject introduced for the first time by Narendra Modi: VIjay Goel

Welcoming the Supreme Court verdict on voters right to reject all candidates in a constituency, Delhi BJP today claimed it was first introduced in Gujarat by Narendra Modi.

"We welcome the right to reject judgement. BJP thinks, it could be brought after a discussion among political parties. It was first introduced in Gujarat. When voting was made compulsory (by Narendra Modi) it was part of it," Delhi BJP Chief Vijay Goel told reporters while speaking about Narendra Modi's rally to be held tomorrow here.

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court had yesterday held that voters have a right to reject all candidates contesting polls in a constituency by pressing a button for negative vote, saying this would compel political parties to field "sound" candidates who are known for their integrity.

Gujarat assembly in December 2009 passed a bill which made, for the first time in the country, voting mandatory in local body polls. Hailing the SC judgement, Modi had yesterday said a bill on compulsory voting which included the Right to Reject was brought in the Gujarat assembly which, after stiff opposition from Congress was passed though the governor has not cleared it.

The Delhi BJP chief today said the party had been saying since beginning that the provision of Right to Reject should be there and "we support this".

Goel, while attacking Congress and the UPA government on taking the Ordinance route to protect tainted MPs and MLAs from losing their membership of the House, said Congress seems to be losing track as on one hand they brought the measure while on the other its Vice President Rahul Gandhi has slammed it.

He also questioned the timing of the statement by Gandhi, who yesterday said that the Ordinance was "nonsense" and should be torn up and thrown away, saying the Prime Minister is abroad and such statements were being made without keeping his reputation in mind.

When asked why BJP has not sent invitation to Pakistan High Commissioner, when the party had invited other envoys for Sunday's rally, Goel said his party has sent invitations to everyone, cutting across party lines.