The Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 23, 2022) came down heavy on DMK and its Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan for his remarks on the apex court’s intervention on the issue of electoral freebies.
Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice NV Ramana today lashed out the DMK and the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister while hearing the plea on distribution of irrational freebies from public funds and its influence on voters.
When DMK MP P. Wilson appearing for his party sought to make his submission, CJI said, “Mr Wilson, the party you represent, I have a lot of things to say. Don’t think you are the only wise party . Don’t think we are ignoring all that is being said”.
“As CJI I cannot say anything but the way your party is behaving, the way your minister is talking, don’t think we are ignoring.”, the CJI further added.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan too concurred that the comments made by DMK Minister PTR are deplorable.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, argued that nobody can question the responsibility of any party to uplift the downtrodden and take up social issues but promising freebies has become an art and could lead to devastating economic situation.
The CJI has opined that the issue of irrational electoral freebies is an important debate and much deliberation is needed on the same.
It is worth remembering that PTR in a recent interview said that the Supreme Court has no locus standi over the matter as giving freebies is a prerogative of the political parties and the legislature/executive.
“If the Centre brings a law that the states cannot give freebies, can it be said that it cannot be scrutinised judicially?”, the CJI noted.
The CJI further said that it is Supreme Court’s opinion to take up the matter and an expert panel has to be formed to brainstorm the issue of freebies announced during elections.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, who was called by the CJI to give his opinion, recommended that the Finance Commission should take up the matter.
(With inputs from LawBeat)
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