Compulsory voting: Aiyar draws parallel between Modi,Saddam

“My personal view is that the proposed Compulsory Voting Bill by Chief Minister Narendra Modi is not only undemocratic in spirit,but also fails to specify punishments to those who do not cast their votes. When Saddam Hussein was in power,he pursued similar policies where punishments or actions by the state against any lawbreaking individual were not specified,” said Aiyar.

He said there was a difference of opinion within the BJP leadership itself on the proposed Bill. “There is no support from the Madhya Pradesh government on this Bill,which shows that there is division in the party policies,” said Aiyar. He was also critical about the Samras system in the state. “Although the idea of villagers choosing their representatives is ideal,the elite or the privilege class will often have the tendency to usurp power. The secret ballot should be intact in this case. However,this is a state government initiative and it is up to them to continue or discontinue with Samras,” he said.

Aiyar further said,“It has been suggested that the Election Commission should decide on the punishments to those who do not vote. The Election Commission is not a legislative body to decide on the punishments. Even by not voting,people are participating in democracy.”

Continuing his attack on Modi,the former Union Minister also criticised the state government’s decision to club 50 per cent reservation for women in various institutions along with compulsory voting. He said policies related to Panchayati Raj were not implemented in Gujarat though state Agriculture Minister Bhupendra Chudasama had agreed on most policies planned by the Centre.

Aiyar later addressed Congress workers in Vadodara from five districts and apprised them about the various policies of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj Sangathan.