Ranchi, Feb 13 (PTI) K N Govindacharya today called for transparency in money spent by political parties and their accountability in fulfilling manifestoes. Â"There should be transparency in the expenditure of political parties. Also making themselves accountable while promising to the electorate through manifestoes,Â" he told reporters here. The former BJP General SecretaryÂ's demand comes in the background of a government panel reportedly estimating that political parties allegedly spend Rs 10,000 crore-15,000 crore annually on election expenses alone. The panel was set up by the Centre last year to study generation and control of black money. Â"This high command thing (high commmand style functioning) in political parties should also end,Â" he said and advocated more powers to the Election Commission of India to bring in electoral reforms. Earlier addressing a gathering at Chamber Bhavan, Govindacharya said neither would Naxalites achieve anything resorting to violence nor the government could root out ultra-left wing extremism using force alone. Â"There should be concerted efforts by both the government and the civil society. On its part, the government should take steps in stamping out existing naxalites while the civil society contribute its part by not allowing birth of fresh naxalites,Â" he said. (More) PTI PVR SUS SUS
