Elections are to take place for post of Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha after retirement of outgoing PJ Kurien. Instead of political bargains, system may be evolved whereby next incumbent may be elected by secret and compulsory vote of all Rajya Sabha members through VVPT equipped Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) on nominations signed by at least 34-percent members to ensure direct election between two candidates. Such a Deputy Chairperson may only be removed by a no-confidence motion passed in the same manner but with condition to name next Deputy Chairperson in the same motion.
Similar system should be adopted for election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and state-assemblies. Then only perfect neutrality much required from persons seated on these responsible posts may be ensured at least to some extent. Both ruling and opposition parties will try their level best to field candidates who may attract votes from other sides also thus having a sort of compulsory consensus.
It is time to amend constitution to abolish provision of useless upper House in states which serve absolutely no purpose other than politically employing favourites and relations of political heavyweights. However provision of upper House at centre (Rajya Sabha) must be retained which of course has proved its worth by having a check on ruling party at the centre passing legislations only because of majority.
MADHU AGRAWAL