Government keen on banning criminals from poll fray: Moily

24.03.10 : The central government is keen on banning criminals and communal elements from contesting elections, Law Minister M. Veerappa Moily said Wednesday.

"We will elicit views of all political parties and experts on the issue of barring criminals and communal elements from poll fray. A national seminar will be held in Bangalore in June on the issue," Moily said.

The minister's statement came two days after Janata Dal-Secular leader and former Karnataka chief minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said he would not mind people with criminal records contesting the elections if they can win.

Moily said criminalisation of politics and the use of muscle and money power to win elections were a great danger to democratic set up. Hence, the UPA government wants to enact a legislation barring criminals and communal elements from elections.

On Nuclear Liability Bill, Moily said talks will be held with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left parties, which are opposing the bill.

He said that the central government wants to take everybody on board and get the bill approved.

Regarding demand for quota within quota by parties like Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal in the women's reservation bill, Moily said that was not possible.

"The Constitution does not provide for it. The Constitutional provisions allow reservations only in the field of employment and education," he said.

Asserting there will not be any change in the bill which has been passed by the Rajya Sabha, the law minister said he is confident that it will be approved by the Lok Sabha also in April.