By IANS,
New Delhi : Politicians from different parties, including Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel of the Nationalist Congress Party and Congress MP Mani Shanker Aiyar Friday stressed the need for electoral reforms to ensure an honest political system.
Participating in a discussion on “Is honesty still impossible in Indian politics” at the India Today conclave here, Jaitley said that state funding can bring transparency and accounability in the elections, which are becoming expensive.
While some steps like contributions through cheques and income-tax verifications have been introduced, much more has to be done, he said.
Aiyar said honesty should not be limited to money matters. Courage to be outspoken on matters of public interest, without bothering about the consequences, is an integral part of honesty, he added.
Describing the electoral process as a highly “expensive and competitive affair”, Patel said leaders of all parties should put their ideas together and strive for a transparent system.
“Electoral refroms are easily said than done”, Patel added.