AAP MP Raghav Chadha has vigorously pitched for the ‘Right to Recall’ in India, advocating for voters’ power to remove non-performing elected representatives. In a post on X, he declared, “If voters can HIRE a neta, they should be able to FIRE the neta too.” He emphasized the need for direct accountability, arguing citizens should not wait five years to replace ineffective MPs or MLAs often underperforming.
Chadha defined the Right to Recall as a mechanism for voters to de-elect a representative before their term concludes if they fail their duties. He drew comparisons to constitutional checks like the impeachment of President, Vice President, judges, and no-confidence motions against governments. He questioned why similar accountability doesn’t extend to individual representatives for a more responsive democratic system.
To prevent misuse, Chadha outlined strict safeguards. A recall petition must gain support from 35-40 percent of verified voters. An 18-month “cooling period” post-election would allow representatives time to perform. Recall grounds must be clear: proven misconduct, fraud, corruption, or serious neglect of duty, explicitly excluding political disagreements. The final decision requires over 50 percent voter approval in a dedicated recall vote.
Noting global examples, Chadha believes the Right to Recall would empower citizens. It would compel political parties to field better candidates, curb corruption, and foster a more accountable democracy. He reiterated the principle: the right to elect inherently includes the right to de-elect, thereby strengthening democratic participation.