Raghav Chadha Calls for 'Right to Recall' MPs, MLAs in Bold Reform Pitch
AAP's Raghav Chadha urges 'Right to Recall' for removing underperforming MPs and MLAs.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has strongly advocated the introduction of a “Right to Recall” mechanism in India, proposing that voters be given the power to remove underperforming MPs and MLAs before the completion of their five-year tenure. Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Chadha argued that India’s electoral system currently lacks a structured mechanism for accountability once leaders are elected.
Highlighting what he termed a core flaw in the democratic process, Chadha remarked, “Before the election, the leader is after the public, and after the election, the public is after the leader.” He contended that in today’s fast-paced world, a five-year term can be too long if an ineffective or unsuitable candidate is elected, potentially pushing entire regions into stagnation and decline.
Describing the Right to Recall as an “insurance for democracy” rather than a political weapon, Chadha asserted that voters should have the ability to correct their electoral choices. He pointed out that the Constitution already provides mechanisms for removing high constitutional authorities — including impeachment of the President, removal of judges, and no-confidence motions against governments — questioning why similar recourse is not available directly to citizens against their elected representatives.
Drawing on international precedents, Chadha noted that more than 24 democracies, including Canada and Switzerland, have recall provisions. He cited the 2003 recall of California Governor Gray Davis, where over 1.3 million signatures led to a special election in which 55 per cent of voters supported his removal amid allegations of governance failures.
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At the domestic level, Chadha referenced provisions in states such as Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, where gram panchayat representatives can be recalled through gram sabha votes. To prevent misuse, he proposed safeguards such as a minimum performance period of 18 months before a recall attempt, clearly defined grounds for removal, and a high approval threshold — potentially requiring at least 50 per cent voter support in a recall election.
Chadha argued that implementing such a system would compel political parties to nominate more capable candidates, weed out “non-performing assets,” and deepen democratic accountability. According to him, empowering citizens with ongoing oversight over their representatives would strengthen institutional trust and mark a significant evolution in India’s democratic framework.
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