NCP hails SC judgement on RPA Act

NCP today welcomed Supreme Court's ruling holding as unconstitutional the legal provision providing protection to elected representatives who are convicted of criminal charges but have filed appeal in the higher court.
NCP spokesman Nawab Malik said here that this landmark judgement will go a long way in cleansing the political system of criminal elements.
The apex court yesterday held section 8(4) of the Representation of the People Act as ultra vires, and said that disqualification of a legislator takes place from the date of conviction and not when appeal is decided.
"Whenever there will be a debate in the government or the Parliament on the judgement, NCP will support this ruling," Malik said.

Malik also slammed the BJP for alleging that NCP was behind the Income Tax and Election Commission notices to its senior leader Gopinath Munde following his statement that he spent Rs eight crore on his election campaign in 2009.
"BJP is supporting Munde now, just as it supported Yeddurappa, Nitin Gadkari and Madhya Pradesh minister Raghavji after they faced accusations, only to dump them later. It is evident that Munde's troubles will increase after he replies to the notices," Malik added.