The Economic Times

SC urged to hear PIL against promise, distribution of freebies by political parties

The Supreme Court heard a plea to seize symbols or deregister parties promising freebies. Lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay urged an early hearing for the PIL filed in 2022. The court had previously sought replies from the Centre and Election Commission. The petition argues freebies unduly influence voters and disturb the electoral process. It seeks a law or ECI condition against such promises from public funds.