1 week ago
CPM Rejects Direct Elections for Local Body Top Posts
The CPM is a political party in Andhra Pradesh.
It does not want mayors and local chairpersons to be elected directly by voters.
The party says this could make councillors and other local representatives less important.
It believes local government should continue using the existing election system.
The CPM supports giving Backward Classes a 34% reservation.
However, it says a legal limit on total reservations could prevent that quota from being implemented.
The party wants Parliament to change the Constitution to remove this problem.
It also asked political parties to work together instead of trading accusations.
The party warned that announcing reservations without making them legally workable could anger the public.
The CPM opposed proposed direct elections for mayors and municipal chairpersons in the forthcoming local body elections.
State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao said the system could weaken grassroots democracy and reduce the importance of elected local representatives.
The party argued that concentrating power in mayors and chairpersons would undermine democratic decentralisation under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
The CPM welcomed the proposed 34% reservation for Backward Classes but said it requires removing the 50% reservation ceiling.
Rao urged the NDA parties to seek a constitutional amendment and warned that unenforceable reservations could mislead Backward Classes.
- Who
- The Communist Party of India (Marxist), represented by state secretary V. Srinivasa Rao.
- What
- The CPM opposed direct elections for mayors and chairpersons and called for legal steps to implement the proposed 34% Backward Classes reservation.
- Where
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
- When
- The statement was issued on Thursday, ahead of the forthcoming local body elections.
- Why
- The CPM said direct elections could weaken grassroots democracy, while the 50% reservation ceiling could obstruct implementation of the Backward Classes quota.
CPM opposition
Proposed direct-election system
Election of local body heads
CPM opposition
The CPM says the existing system should continue because directly elected corporators, councillors, MPTCs and ZPTCs are closely connected to the public.
Proposed direct-election system
The proposed system would directly elect mayors and chairpersons; the articles do not state the proponents' arguments for the change.
Distribution of local power
CPM opposition
The CPM argues that direct elections could concentrate power in mayors and chairpersons and weaken elected representatives and democratic decentralisation.
Proposed direct-election system
The proposal would give mayors and chairpersons a direct electoral mandate, but no further position from its supporters is provided.
Backward Classes reservation
CPM opposition
The CPM supports the 34% quota but says it will not be effective unless the 50% ceiling is removed through a constitutional amendment.
Proposed direct-election system
The state government has announced the 34% reservation, while the article does not provide its response to the CPM's legal concerns.
Key facts
- Party position
- The CPM wants the existing system for electing local body heads to continue.
- Proposed election change
- Mayors and chairpersons would be elected directly in the forthcoming local body elections.
- Reservation proposal
- The state government has decided to provide 34% reservation for Backward Classes.
- Legal concern
- The CPM said the 50% ceiling on reservations must be removed for effective implementation.
- Constitutional request
- The party urged Parliament to amend the Constitution to avoid legal hurdles.
- Commission cited
- Rao referred to recommendations and concerns raised by the Mishra Commission.
- Political appeal
- The Telugu Desam Party, Jana Sena Party and Bharatiya Janata Party were urged to pressure the Union government.
Quotes
V Srinivasa Rao
CPM state secretary
“concentrating power in the hands of mayors and chairpersons would go against the spirit of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments and weaken democratic decentralisation.”
thehansindia.com
“direct elections would diminish the importance of corporators, councillors, MPTCs and ZPTCs, who are directly connected with the people.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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