A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Allahabad High Court seeking the disqualification of all 99 Congress MPs, arguing that the party’s ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme,’ launched during the Lok Sabha poll campaign, constituted bribery under the law.
The petition, filed by Bharti Devi from Fatehpur district also calls for action against the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing it of failing to address the Congress campaign. Despite the ECI issuing an advisory on May 2 this year, warning political parties against such practices, the petition alleges that the Congress continued distributing these cards, thereby compromising the fairness of the electoral process.
The PIL contends that the ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme’ involves distributing guarantee cards that promise various financial and material benefits in exchange for votes. It argues that these promises amount to bribery under Section 123(1)(A) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and are punishable under Sections 171B and 171E of the Indian Penal Code. Therefore, the PIL asserts that all 99 Congress MPs elected in this year’s election must be disqualified under existing law.
The petitioner further alleges that these MPs have benefited from the ‘Ghar Ghar Guarantee Scheme’ and calls for criminal proceedings against them. The PIL also criticizes the Election Commission of India (ECI) for “neglecting its constitutional duty” to ensure free and fair elections, accusing it of inaction.
The petitioner seeks directions from the court to compel the ECI to suspend or withdraw the Congress’s recognition as a “political party” under Section 16A of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968. The PIL emphasizes the growing concern over the ECI’s role in maintaining electoral integrity, urging the court to take decisive action to protect the democratic process in India.
