Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday slammed leaders for party-hopping and abusing their former party bosses after switching sides. He said efforts should be made to strengthen the anti-defection laws. Naidu also said political parties should refrain from announcing freebies and instead focus on providing free education and healthcare.
Naidu, who was presented with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award on Monday, referred to “party-hopping” as a “disturbing trend.” He said he was not referring to any one party in particular, but mentioning a trend that has affected all the parties.
“Defections are being encouraged. We should strengthen anti-defection law,” he said.
Naidu said, “The latest trend is this morning you are in one party, then you quit and join another…Inside (in the old party) you were praising your leader and then left and right you are abusing (the leader…Some are favoured with a ticket also. This is a very disturbing trend.”
Speaking at a function at his residence, he said there should be checks and balances on people switching sides with impunity.
“If anybody wants to change a party, it is allowed in democracy, but then you should resign from the post you got from that party, and then join any party of your choice,” he said.
He also added that he did not once consider switching sides, even when the party was at its lowest.
“I never changed party, even when it was weak with no chance of coming to power, I never thought of it,” he said.
Naidu also frowned upon the tendency to use abusive language.
“People abusing and using vulgar language should be avoided and people known to be corrupt should be rejected,” he said.
Doubling down on parties announcing freebies, he said, the trend of promising free amenities is detrimental to the financial health of the state.
He said, “Another trend is people are promising (freebies) left and right… paisa kahan se aaye ga (where will money come from). Political parties must come out with manifestos and schemes supported by the financial health of the state and how they will mobilise the resources.”
Asserting that he is against freebies, Naidu said, “If you give education and health free of cost then you can avoid all having to give all other things free… Parties should be questioned on how they will raise the resources.”
