Describe the efforts to reform political parties in India.
Answers
1. Supreme Court has helped in reducing the influence of criminals and money in election. It is now mandatory for every person contesting the election to give an affidavit regarding his wealth and criminal cases pending against him. With this people can acquire information about their leaders and this has also led to decline in criminalizsation of politics.
2. These day no one can change his/her party after anti defection law was passed in the Parliament. Amendment was made in the constitution to prevent MPs and MLAs from changing parties. If anyone tried to change his her party he/she lose his/her seat.
3. Election Commission has also ordered all political parties to hold their organisational election and file the income tax returns for the purpose of introducing internal democracy. Parties has started to do so formally.
4. Regulating internal affairs in the parties should be made compulsory. Registers of the existing members should be made. All parties should follow their constitution and regular election should be held for the higher post of the party.
5. State should provide funds for contesting election it can be either given in the form of cash or in the form of petrol, paper, telephone etc. This may reduce the influence of money in the elections.