New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha member Raghav Chadha has strongly advocated for the introduction of a “Right to Recall” mechanism in India, allowing voters to remove non-performing elected representatives such as MPs and MLAs before the end of their term.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha during Zero Hour, Chadha spoke on the issue, emphasising that the current system lacks accountability and performance evaluation for elected leaders.
Chadha highlighted a key flaw in India’s electoral democracy: “Before the election, the leader is after the public, and after the election, the public is after the leader.”
He argued that a five-year term is too long in today’s fast-paced world, and electing the wrong leader can plunge lakhs of people and entire regions into darkness and backwardness.
The AAP leader stressed that voters deserve the power to correct their mistakes, describing the Right to Recall not as a weapon against politicians, but as an “insurance for democracy”.
He pointed out existing provisions in the Indian Constitution and laws, such as the impeachment of the President, removal of the Vice President, Judges and even no-confidence motions against governments, questioning why voters should not have similar recourse against non-performing MPs or MLAs.
Drawing international examples, Chadha noted that the mechanism exists in over 24 democracies, including Canada and Switzerland.
He cited the recall of California Governor Gray Davis in 2003, where 1.3 million constituents signed a petition amid an energy crisis, budget mismanagement, and other issues, leading to his removal after 55 per cent of voters approved it in a special election.
In India, Chadha referenced existing local-level practices, where gram panchayat representatives in states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan can be recalled by gram sabha votes.
He proposed safeguards to prevent misuse, including a minimum performance period of 18 months before any recall attempt, specific grounds for removal and a high threshold, such as at least 50 per cent voter approval in a recall vote.
Chadha believes such a system would force political parties to field better candidates, eliminate “non-performing assets”, mature India’s democracy, and truly empower citizens by giving them ongoing control over their representatives.
IANS
Proposed India-Germany submarine deal signals strategic shift in Indo-Pacific: Report
Athens: The proposed India-Germany submarine partnership extends far beyond a conventional defence procurement deal, reflecting a convergence of strategic interests, industrial cooperation and regional security priorities amid a rapidly evolving...
Rights body condemns killing of Sikh couple in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, flags concerns over minority safety
Islamabad: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemned the killing of a Sikh couple who were reportedly serving as caretakers of a gurdwara in Mardan city of the...
Tulsi Gabbard releases declassified documents alleging Fauci influenced Covid origin assessments
Washington: Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a trove of newly declassified documents that she said show former top US infectious disease official Anthony Fauci influenced intelligence assessments...
G7 Summit: PM Modi ‘failed’ to stand up for India’s economic interests, says Congress
New Delhi: The Congress on Thursday criticised the takeaways from Prime Minister Narender Modi's participation at the G7 Summit in France's Evian, alleging that he "failed" to stand up for...
PM Modi finds Banaras connection in Bratislava, says ‘art, culture bring people closer’
Bratislava: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted a unique cultural connection between India and Slovakia after witnessing an exhibition on Varanasi at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, saying...
‘Undermines institutional neutrality’: K.C. Venugopal slams Kerala VCs who attended RSS event, demands resignation
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress General Secretary, Organisation, K.C. Venugopal, on Monday launched a strong political attack on three Kerala Vice Chancellors who attended an RSS centenary-related programme, describing their participation as contravening...
Foreign Secy Vikram Misri highlights indigenisation as key pillar for Rafale deal
Nice: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Sunday highlighted indigenisation as a key pillar of the Rafale fighter jet deal with France, reaffirming India's commitment to defence self-reliance and strengthening domestic...
Trump approval slips as inflation climbs
Washington: US President Donald Trump's approval rating has fallen to its lowest level of his second term as inflation continues to weigh on voters and Democrats hold a modest advantage...
Actor Raghava Lawrence signals political entry in TN, says he has taken ‘positive decision’ after public backing
Chennai: Actor, choreographer and filmmaker Raghava Lawrence has strongly hinted at entering active politics in Tamil Nadu, stating that he has taken a “positive decision” after receiving overwhelming encouragement from...
El Nino likely to impact food prices, inflation projected to settle in 5.2–5.5 pc range in FY27
New Delhi: There is 80 per cent likelihood of an El Nino event during the June–August period and probabilities for this, to continue until at least November, are near or...
‘Hug row’ opens INDIA bloc cracks as Pinarayi Vijayan takes on Rahul Gandhi
Thiruvananthapuram: The simmering differences within the Opposition INDIA bloc have burst into the open as Leader of Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Congress...
