BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed the media on Monday, clarifying provisions in the proposed legislation regarding ministers, chief ministers, and the Prime Minister who face imprisonment, and criticizing the opposition over Bihar voter records.
Speaking at a press conference, Prasad said, “It’s actually a very simple matter. What’s the story here? The story is that if you are a minister, prime minister, or chief minister, either at the Centre or in a state, and you go to jail, and if you don’t get bail within thirty days, then on the thirty-first day you will be freed from that post—either by the Governor or the President. And if you get bail, you can return to your position. That provision also exists. Why was this made? Because the great leaders who framed our Constitution—Rajaji, Sardar Patel, Nehru ji, Maulana Azad—never imagined a time would come when people would try to run governments from jail. Democracy runs on public trust...”
On the Bihar voter data issue, Prasad questioned the opposition, stating, “What are they doing? They ask us questions, but aren’t they also standing behind the pair of two young men? Out of seven and a half lakh, do they even have one objection filed? Fine, at least some sense came, even if late. Look, understand this one thing. I raised this question yesterday, you people asked me, and I’ll repeat it. If 7.5 lakh people have died, will they vote? If you show them alive, their names will be added. If 30 lakh people have left Bihar and moved out, then show that they live in Bihar, their names will be added...”
