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General elections: Seven former High Court judges on Monday wrote an open letter to President Draupadi Murmu, urging her to follow the “established democratic (protect ) tradition” and invite the largest pre-poll alliance to form the government to prevent horse-trading in case of a fractured mandate in the 2024 general elections.
If the ruling government loses the mandate..
The retired judges also urged Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and the Chief Election Commissioner to uphold the Constitution by ensuring a smooth transfer of power if the current ruling government loses the mandate. The open letter was signed by six former judges of the Madras High Court – G.M. Akbar Ali, Aruna Jagadeesan, D. Hariparanthaman, P.R. Sivakumar, C.T. Selvam, S. Vimala and former Patna High Court judge Anjana Prakash signed the letter.
Heavy responsibilities on the shoulders of the President..
They said there is a “genuine concern” that if the current ruling government loses the mandate, the transfer of power will not be smooth and a constitutional crisis may arise. Agreeing with the May 25 open letter of the ‘Constitutional Conduct Group’ (CCG) of former public servants, the former judges said, “We are bound to agree with the scenario envisaged in the above statement: “In the event of a fractured mandate, heavy responsibilities will fall on the shoulders of the President of India.”
Former judges wrote the letter
It said, “We have full confidence that she will follow the already established democratic tradition and invite the pre-poll alliance that wins the most seats. At the same time, she will also try to prevent the possibilities of horse-trading….” The letter also urged the Chief Justice and the Chief Election Commissioner to uphold the Constitution in such a situation and ensure a smooth transfer of power.
