Elected representatives must face peoples questions, be well informed

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 15, 2018: For long it has been the practice for businessman to approach  politicians to get his work done. With changing times, those in business have become politicians, said senior politician and former minister Jayaprakash Hegde.  He was speaking at an interactive session organised by the Departments of Political Science and Journalism at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) College.

 

He said that politics has reached the lowest level ever. Voters should question elected representatives on their participation in debates in the Legislative Assembly and the Parliament.

“Newly elected representatives are imparted training in the Vidhana Soudha. Unfortunately, not many attend the sessions. There are several books and journals explaining how elected representatives should work and behave inside the Assembly. Again, many lack knowledge of this,” he rued. Hegde added that youth can bring in changes in the political system.

“When a representative seeks vote, the youth should question on the development works initiated in the constituency and the attendance in the Assembly or the Parliament. The people too should not re-elect a representative who shows no interest in the development of his or her constituency. Such questioning attitude of the voters will bring about changes in the system,” he explained.

“Fresh water should flow in the political sphere. Only those with the zeal to bring in changes in the society should enter politics,” Hegde opined.

He added that an MLA should be present in the Assembly when a bill is passed. The MLA should also have concern for the constituency, Hegde stressed.

The former minister said that a ban on flexes should be extended to the entire state. He also said that he had written to the chief minister in this regard. Hegde also said that there should not be more than three to four political parties in the country.