In an intervention application filed before the top court, Dr. Jaya Thakur has submitted that giving such subsidies and concessions to citizens is in discharge of Constitutional mandate, which is necessary for democracy.
“As per our Doctrine of Constitution, ruling parties are duty bound to frame the Policies for welfare & uplifting of the weaker section, accordingly they are rightly giving subsidies and it cannot be said freebies,” the application said.
The application was filed seeking intervention in public interest litigation (PIL) petition by BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking directions to the Central government and the Election Commission to take steps to regulate poll manifestos of political parties and to parties accountable for promises made in such manifestos.
The plea by Updhayay has opposed the practice of political parties giving/ promising freebies to voters.
Thakur has opposed the plea stating that the issue of ‘freebies’ has already been settled by the Supreme Court in S Subramaniam Balaji Versus State of Tamil Nadu and Others.
In that judgment, it was held that promises made by political parties in election manifestos would not amount to ‘corrupt practices’ as per Section 123 of the Representation of People Act.
Source: Barandbench
