The Madras High Court today observed that politics was not confined to a few families in India, which had a population of 130 crore.
All should get an opportunity to take part in politics, Justice N Kirubakaran further observed.
The judge was hearing a petition filed by S V Subbaiah of Coimbatore district, seeking a direction for submission of medical certificates of candidates contesting local body elections.
The court had earlier widened the scope of the plea and impleaded the Centre and the Election Commission (EC), observing that it could not be confined to the local body polls alone and was essential in the case of Assembly and parliamentary elections as well.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) G Rajagopalan, appearing on behalf of the Centre, sought ten days' time to file a counter as regards the steps taken by the government in this connection.
The judge observed that starting from the post of office assistants to the post of judges, medical fitness certificates were sought from candidates before entering service.
"Why is this not made mandatory for those who are instrumental for legislation of laws in the Assembly and Parliament?