Maharashtra civic polls: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat says NOTA choice indirectly promotes unwanted candidates

Bhagwat was among the early voters in the Nagpur civic body polls. He went to a polling booth in the Mahal area of the city around 7:30 am and exercised his franchise.

MUMBAI: Citing references from Mahabharata, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday discouraged the use of the None of the Above (NOTA) option while voting by saying that it indirectly helps in promoting an unwanted candidate. 

“Although NOTA has been given as an option considering citizens’ dissatisfaction, even within that, one should look for the better person,” Bhagwat said.

“NOTA means rejecting everyone, and by doing that, we end up promoting someone undesirable,” the RSS chief said. 

Bhagwat’s observation came while speaking to reporters in Nagpur after voting for the municipal corporation elections. 

“NOTA provides a way to channel the restlessness in people’s minds, which is correct. However, it should not be given to someone undeserving—meaning it should not go to those who are not worthy…anarchy is the worst situation of all. It means the absence of a ruler, as stated in the Mahabharata by Bhishma. Having someone is better than having no one at all,” he said.