Citizens For Democracy national president S.R. Hiremath said that these it has become a habit for elected representatives to shift loyalty for personal gains

Citizens For Democracy, which is fighting for upholding values in the electoral system, has appealed to voters to defeat disqualified MLAs who are seeking re-election in the ensuing by-elections in 15 Assembly constituencies in the State.

Speaking to presspersons here, Citizens For Democracy national president S.R. Hiremath said that these 15 MLAs have been disqualified for making a mockery of democracy.

In the recent times it has become a habit for elected representatives to shift loyalty for personal gains. Moreover, after crossing over, these politicians shed crocodile tears accusing their parent party of practising nepotism. Sensible voters should not fall prey to their political gimmicks but teach them a bitter lesson by defeating them in the bypolls, he said. Ideologies and principles of democracy have taken the back seat in a rush to attain power. Greediness in politics is increasing and this has turned MLAs party hoppers, he said.

The BJP, to protect its government, has fielded all the 15 disqualified MLAs. However, merit should prevail over caste and money equations in the bypolls and this send a strong message to such party hoppers, he said.

Of the 15 seats, candidates from Rashtriya Samiti are contesting in nine and voters should elect them to bring in a change in the system, he appealed.

Mr. Hiremath has also demanded that the Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman form a joint parliamentary committee to go into the electoral bond scheme launched.

He said that there was corruption to the tune of ₹ 6,000 crore in the sale of electoral bonds during the general elections. Interestingly, the BJP had garnered 95 % of the total electoral bonds.

The Centre introduced the electoral bond scheme after bringing in changes to the Finance Bill 2017. Some likeminded organisations have approached the Supreme Court against the electoral bond scheme and the matter is pending before in court.

Political parties which have received huge sum in the form of electoral bonds have failed to maintain transparency in utilisation of this money. Hence, to bring out the truth and see that justice prevails, a JPC should be formed, he added.