CM Nitish Kumar hails SC order on convict lawmakers

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court order disqualifying MPs, MLAs and MLCs from contesting elections on conviction saying it would help reform the system. "The SC order manifests people's inner voice and will help bring reform in the system," Kumar told reporters.

"The order is good for the health of the country's politics and democratic tradition," he said. The Apex court gave its order after hearing all shades of opinion hence it should be put into practice immediately, the chief minister said before flying to Madhubani for a public rally.

The Supreme Court on Wedneday struck down a provision in the electoral law that protects a convicted lawmaker from disqualification on the ground of pendency of appeal in higher courts.