Transparent Politics: Now Political Parties Under RTI Act

Criticisms sprang in from various corners of the political institution with opinions against it. Most of them opine that this Act does not come under the law. Chidambaram, Finance Minister sparked an outspoken criticism, he said, “It is an unusual interpretation of the Act and not based on credible argument.'' Also Senior BJP Leader and Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said, "Because of the public character of political parties there is nothing wrong in making their funding public.'' He further said NGOs or other private enterprises should also come under this, as reported by Pioneer News.

On the other hand, Gurudas Dasgupta openly welcome CIC’s decision with a view that he strongly supports this Act and feels that it should be extended to all the political parties of the country as they are very much part of the voluntary organization of the people.

Commission stated that political parties should freely come forward to provide information about all their sources of funding and expenditure in the public arena. They also expressed that the citizens of this country have every right in knowing the source of expenditure acquired by political parties in times of election. Denial to disclose themselves to public scrutiny is against the basic belief of democracy.

CIC strongly believes that Congress, BJP, NCP, CPI-M, CPI and BSP — the six national parties have been to a large extent funded indirectly by the central government and as such have the character of public authority under the RTI Act.

CIC in a way binds all the political parties together as major parties come forward as one to raise their voice against implementing RTI Act. If not they are against the life of each other.

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