Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha voice Raghav Chadha made a compelling case for ‘Right to Recall’ during zero hour, positioning it as essential for genuine democratic accountability. He slammed the void in monitoring elected reps’ performance over full terms.
In an era of rapid change, waiting five years to correct a bad electoral pick risks regional ruin, Chadha warned. Voters deserve a correction mechanism.
Globally, over two dozen democracies like Canada and Switzerland empower recalls. Chadha spotlighted California’s 2003 gubernatorial recall: Governor Gray Davis fell after 1.3 million signatures on energy and fiscal failures, confirmed by 55% in a special vote.
India’s Constitution provides removal tools for presidents, judges, and governments—extend it to lawmakers, he demanded. State-level precedents exist in panchayats across Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan.
To avert abuse, propose 18-month minimum tenure, defined removal criteria, 50% voter approval. This would elevate candidate quality, purge underperformers, and invigorate democracy.
Chadha’s advocacy signals a push for voter-centric reforms, challenging entrenched political norms.