New Delhi: Political parties were on March 13 cautious in their approach to the Supreme Court judgement that struck down last year's electoral law amendment saying they would favour an all-party meeting to discuss the implications, while the CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) said it did not agree with the apex court.

The parties, however, agreed with the Supreme Court on the need for ending criminalisation in politics and bringing transparency in elections.

"The law was amended after thorough discussion among political parties. We found it to be the most appropriate way to deal with the issue," CPM Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat said.

Disagreeing with the Court's view, he said it "would not solve the problem".

Congress leader Oscar Fernandes said there was need for transparency. He said making reforms in the law was the job of Parliament and the Supreme Court was free to pass judgement on these laws and interpret them.

Ramji Lal Suman of Samajwadi Party said all political parties had together decided what to do while filing the nomination papers and the Court's judgement should again be discussed by the parties. He suggested that the government take initiative and invite all parties to discuss the issue.

Welcoming the Court decision, RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal) leader Raghuvansh Prasad Singh favoured any action, which ends criminalisation in politics, muscle and money power to restore its directive.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) spokesman Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the life of people in politics should be like an open book. His party colleague V K Malhotra was of the view that any decision should be taken unanimously at an all-party meeting.

Malhotra said his party supported the view that criminals should be prevented from contesting elections. "Therefore we will see all clauses of the Court judgement, discuss them, see on which clauses there is objection and after that take a decision."

Ambika Soni of Congress said her party "fully supported" the Court order as it will help in transparency in politics.

Janata Party's Subramaniam Swamy also expressed support for the Court's stand saying that as "democracy deepens, transparency must increase... I think knowing your candidate is very necessary and I welcome it."

The Supreme Court today (March 13) declared as unconstitutional the controversial electoral reforms law and restored its earlier directive making it mandatory for the candidates to declare their criminal antecedents, assets and liabilities and educational qualification right at the time of filing nomination papers.

PTI