By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: The concept of democracy is often defined as a system of government where power lies in the hands of the people, exercised by and for them. Efforts have long been underway in Bihar to strengthen this principle. Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan was an early advocate for the Right to Recall, a mechanism designed to empower citizens further by allowing them to remove elected representatives.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar also supported the Right to Recall in the past. Now, election strategist Prashant Kishore has reignited the debate by announcing that Jan Suraaj, a political movement he leads, will incorporate this provision into its constitution. Under the proposed plan, voters will be granted the right to remove their elected representatives halfway through their term, approximately two and a half years after election.
Kishore elaborated that if a representative elected under Jan Suraaj fails to meet public expectations, a no-confidence motion could be initiated by a certain percentage of voters. Should this threshold be met, Jan Suraaj would compel the representative to resign. Although the exact percentage is still under discussion, Kishore assured that it will be formalised by the time the party is officially launched on 2nd October.
While the Right to Recall is not yet a legal provision in India, Jan Suraaj will enforce it on all its representatives. This, Kishore argues, will enhance accountability within the party and differentiate it from other political outfits.
As Jan Suraaj prepares to transition into a political party, Kishore has been presenting its framework through public meetings and a padayatra (foot march), positioning Jan Suraj as a fresh and improved alternative to existing political parties. One key aspect of this is the inclusion of the Right to Recall, a significant move that sets Jan Suraaj apart as the first political party in India to adopt such a provision in its constitution.
This proposal follows a long-standing discussion initiated by Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan and supported by Nitish Kumar during his second term. Though not implemented in Bihar or elsewhere, the Right to Recall continues to be a pressing political issue.
