It appears that almost every political party in India maintain "an army of thugs" who are used to settle scores with political opponents and for other purposes such as black mailing and for collecting donations by coercive methods. It is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between the politicians and the law breakers. In several states including Tamil Nadu, political murders and assaults have become the order of the day with such incidents being reported frequently.
The background of such people who are murdered or assaulted and those who carry out such crimes are extremely disturbing. Most of such people are found to enjoy political patronage. They adopt all sorts of practices to win government contracts or collect donations from industries and commercial establishments by threats and coercive methods. They seem to have no fear of law and the law enforcing machinery seem to be ineffective in dealing with them due to political interference at various levels.
These unsavoury acts are generally known and widely discussed in private by people and are also reported in the media. But, nothing is happening that would stop such activities.
Obviously, it is important that criminals should not be allowed to contest elections and become MLAs or MPs. Chief election Commissioner has now proposed to the government that anyone against whom criminal or corruption charges have been framed in court should not be allowed to contest elections, without waiting for them to be convicted for barring them from contesting.
The government of India is unlikely to accede to the proposal of the election commission for obvious reasons. Election Commission should use its INHERENT POWERS and order that those against whom corruption charges have been framed in the court cannot contest elections. Election Commission need to have courage of conviction to do so. All concerned people should urge and support the Election Commission to act in the matter.
This is the only way to prevent criminalisation of politics.
N.S.Venkataraman
Nandini Voice for The Deprived
Email:- nsvenkatchennai@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment