This thread completely depicts India .
Instead of constructive debate , people are more interested in mud-slinging on the basis which party has the highest number of criminals.
@
arp2041 , @
KRAIT , @
OrionHunter , @
Kazhugu , @
Jarha
Can somebody answer : How are criminals even allowed to become a contestant in elections ?? Is there no rule which prohibits them from contesting elections ??
When a political party puts up candidates with criminal charges, it results in the alienation of large sections of people from the political class and politics itself. The media has also highlighted the challenges of criminalisation of politics and the misuse of money power. The dominant role of money in elections, which is taking more and more outrageous forms, is indeed deeply worrying. Instances of politicians paying for news coverage and bribing voters were widespread in the 2009-2010 elections.
The electoral process in the future may well stand compromised at the altar of winnability.
The process is also reflective of a growing disconnect between the governed and several of those who are elected by means of financial clout and covert muscle power, to dangerously fill the vacuum that stands created. The subject of criminality in politics as well as the dangers of huge overspending, are part of the reforms package that successive Election Commissions have addressed to successive governments.
The response over two decades has been tepid, but now there are glimmers of hope that change may come.
As regards dealing with those with criminal antecedents, the ECI has time and again written to the Government of India of the day
to debar through legislation those against whom charges stand framed for heinous offences. However, parliamentary committees hold that such a provision is liable to misuse by parties in power seeking vendetta. They suggest special courts and speedy trials instead,
but these recommendations have not yet been translated into action. Yet many discerning parliamentarians
privately accept that the winnability factor that induces a party to offer tickets to those against whom criminal cases are pending (albeit in appeal), also has the effect of increasingly alienating large sections of people from the political and ruling class itself.
All we can do at this juncture is to hope that reforms come about before the next elections. This I think is the only road to salvation. The way ahead is full of potholes as vested interests will go all out to stymie any paradigm shift in the political system commencing with electoral reforms.