It is reported that in Bihar 31 percent (328) who contested the assembly polls hadcriminal cases against them, out of which 23 percent (244) had seriousnon-bailable criminal cases against them. That is a big number, and the BJP 72percent (21 out of 29) declared criminal cases against themselves out of which45 percent (13) were serious. This is not to say any other party candidates arelikewise promoting "winnable" candidates. On talk shows, theirspokespersons blame the laws, but they make the same laws? We are not talkingof election rules broken or political vendetta charges but hardcore criminalswho will be making the laws for the EC and courts to implement. Under UAPAanyone can be arrested without restrictions and jailed on the charges of threatto national security. But in the case of tainted politicians, they are innocentunless proven guilty. Once elected these criminal politicians ensure theyremain innocent using the law. Whilst the courts and the EC seem helpless, wethe people in our democracy don't seem to be serious about cleansing thesystem. Do we want a Banana Republic for our children?
