Scrap Rajya Sabha, says Shivraj

BHOPAL - Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan Sunday suggested the scrapping of the Rajya Sabha, saying black money was widely used in elections.

“Huge amounts of money is spent in elections. Businessmen put their black money to reap benefits later,” the chief minister told a function held in the state assembly.

Chief Election Commissioner S.Y. Quraishi was present on the occasion. Central Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily was the chief guest.

Shivraj Singh said since a lot of public money was spent on elections, the Lok Sabha and assembly battles should take place together in the entire country.

He raised questions on the relevance of the Rajya Sabha, pointing to the election of liquor barons to the upper house. “There is no use of the Rajya Sabha,” he said.

Shivraj Singh added that both the chief minister and the prime minister should be members of the state assembly and the Lok Sabha respectively.

Moily said if needed, there could be amendments in the constitution for election reforms.

“Being the biggest democracy in the world, it is a challenge to conduct elections in India,” he said.

The chief election commissioner suggested that donations to political parties should be given through cheques and money with the parties should be kept in banks.

“There are several suggestions regarding election reforms that are pending,” said Quraishi. “A consensus is needed among the parties on the issue.”