Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 3: On the eve of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results, seven former high court judges have written an open letter to President Droupadi Murmu, urging her to adhere to established democratic practices by inviting the largest pre-poll alliance to form the government if the elections result in a hung Parliament. This move, they argue, would help prevent horse trading and ensure a smooth transition of power.

The letter, also addressed to Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar, emphasizes the importance of upholding the Constitution during this critical time. The retired judges expressed concern that if the current ruling party loses its mandate, the transition of power might face challenges, potentially leading to a constitutional crisis.

The signatories of the letter include six former judges of the Madras High Court—G.M. Akbar Ali, Aruna Jagadeesan, D Hariparanthaman, P R Shivakumar, C T Selvam, and S Vimala—as well as Anjana Prakash, a former judge of the Patna High Court.

"We are genuinely concerned that if the current ruling dispensation loses the people's mandate, the transition of power may not be smooth," the letter states. The judges support the May 25 statement by the Constitutional Conduct Group (CCG) of former civil servants, which highlighted the significant responsibility resting on the President in the event of a hung Parliament.

The letter asserts confidence that President Murmu will follow the democratic precedent of first inviting the pre-poll alliance with the largest number of seats and will work to prevent horse trading. It also calls on the CJI and CEC to ensure the Constitution is upheld and power transitions smoothly.

"We, former high court judges, having no affiliation to any political party but strongly committed to the ideals enshrined in the Constitution and the values of electoral democracy, write this open letter out of deep anguish at the recent and present developments concerning the 2024 parliamentary elections," the letter reads.

The judges highlighted a series of troubling events over the past weeks that have raised concerns among the public and civil rights organizations. "Several events over the past weeks paint a very grim picture, one that may possibly end in a violent conclusion. These are genuine apprehensions in the minds of the vast majority of our people," they warned.