Congress, BJP not keen about right to recall of elected candidates

Congress and BJP Monday did not appear enthusiastic about Anna Hazare's suggestion for the right to recall of elected candidates.

The two major national parties remained non-commital on the issue even as Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar supported Team Anna's demand.

After Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi yesterday held the right to recall will "destabilise" the country, especially in areas where "people already feel alienated", Kumar Monday called for exploring constitutional amendments for the purpose.

Asked about its ally JD-U supporting the right to recall, BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said here that the issue is "not under discussion" in the party and it will come up with a strucutured response when the time comes.

Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhary said "let us leave it to the experts... If there is anything else to be reversed, it will collectively be examined in assemblies and parliament by the people who participate but no random opinion can be given casually somewhere else".

Asked what was Congress' stand on the issue, she shot back "why should we have a stand on hypothetical issues? As of now, there is no such right to recall."

Reacting to Nitish Kumar's remarks, Chowdhary said "we have to draw a line somewhere. We have good Chief Ministers in different states but it does not mean that they are the authorities on CEC.