Both leaders blamed the societal sanction for criminals as a major reason for fall in standards of politics with Singh saying that “in a democracy people get a government they deserve”.
When both were quizzed about tainted former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa's likely return to BJP and Congress' tie-up in Jharkhand with Shibu Soren, accused in criminal cases, Jaitley said voters preference for such leaders left parties with little option but to rely on them.
“There is an impression, to a large extent true, that the quality of people who man politics does not measure up... We in the political parties have to improve the quality of people who represent parties in legislative and other bodies,” he said.
There was no point in criticising the system from outside, he said, adding that more well-meaning people must join political parties or form their political parties and contribute to politics.
