India is supposed to be one of the largest and most vibrant democracies of the world but infamously its political system is also known for corrupt and dirty practices. While corruption is felt by the everyday man during everyday chores, it is essential to understand the flow of power that permits such disgrace to the country. It is our leaders who essentially form the image of one-India. But what if some of those very “trusted” leaders are defaulters, criminals even? In India, it seems to have become commonplace for individuals with a criminal background to be gifted tickets to elections. So effectively, we have few murderers, rapists, gangsters and the like, playing role in bringing shape to the India of tomorrow.

In Post independent India, criminal elements made gradual entry into politics in mid 70s. But initially, criminal were instruments in hands of politicians primarily for managing elections. But in later phase, when these criminals realized that if they can help others winning elections, why can’t they do it for themselves. Hence, they started trying their luck in electoral field and many of them succeeded also. Most of the big names that have successfully made into politics despite their tainted background have used their positions to secure immunity from the law of the land. If we see the trend, most of such elements frequently change their political allegiance and stay with the ruling parties.

Yesterday, Uttar Pradesh government has decided to withdraw criminal cases against 21 persons including BSP MP Qadir Rana, which have been pending in Local court of Muzaffarnagar over 5 years. Orders for this were issued by Special Secretary of Justice Department (Govt of UP). This is another indication of patronage being given to the criminal elements by the Uttar Pradesh Government.

One could look at the present state of Uttar Pradesh and be surprised at the faces that crowd billboards, traffic signals and even statues! Under the rule of the BSP, Uttar Pradesh is currently fighting itself with egos running high and crime being the solution to most disputes. Take notice of a figure like Afzal Ansari. He stands accused of murdering a politician named Krishnanand Rai who was a BJP candidate. Afzal’s two accomplices were his brothers who were involved in conspiracy to the murder. He’s a much respected member of the BSP and uses even online social-networking platform Facebook to push his agenda ahead.

In the bye-elections in November 2009, Uttar Pradesh had the maximum number of candidates contesting regardless of facing criminal prosecution. 19 out of 67 candidates from UP were accused of criminal activity, 4 candidates of Mayawati’s BSP had serious criminal investigations, including murder, attempt to murder and theft, etc, carrying on even while they were campaigning for the trust of the people and power of the office.

If one were to look at the history of the BSP, one wouldn’t even have to look too far behind. Just before the bye-elections, a BSP lawmaker, named Tabish Khan, along with 20 of his supporters were booked for arson and violence against Dalits in the Sant Nagar district. These were the same people the BSP claims to support and they revolve their entire manifesto around.  In last two and half years since BSP is in power, state has witnessed several cases where legislatures and ministers of ruling party have indulged in heinous crimes. One of the most infamous case was gruesome murder of PWD Engineer Manoj Gupta by the BSP MLA Shekhar Tewari for not giving money demanded by the MLA.

Mayawati came to power in May 2007 on the larger-than-life promise of eradicating crime in UP. But against her poll promises, she gave patronage and welcomed many known criminals in her party. In the time of desperation during the Lok Sabha elections, she found it fit to lure powerful mafia dons into politics and into a comfortable office of power. She welcomed the western Uttar Pradesh don D.P.Yadav and others into the BSP with arms wide open.

Mayawati’s claims of taking on the mafia sounded hollow and turned to a mere gimmick when she announced Arun Shankar Shukla alias Anna, a dreaded criminal, as the BSP candidate from Unnao. Other famous names fielded by her in 2009 Lok Sabha elections include Mukhtar Ansari, Afzal Ansari, Dhananjay Singh, Kapilmuni Karwaria, Kadir Rana etc.  A consequence of her moves has been the 20 per cent increase in crimes in comparison to Mulayam’s regime. This trend continues. With greater number of criminals seeing greater gains in politics, the state of Uttar Pradesh has been transformed into a melting pot where all criminals, regardless of the law, seek comfort and a safe haven away from the stressful life of in-your-face crime. After all, the perfect crime can only be accomplished if one is never caught and this is the opportunity the BSP provides.

Even Samajwadi Party also suffered from this disease but in 2009 Lok Sabha election, party took a conscious decision of distancing it self from criminal elements and did not field even a single candidate with tainted background. However, all those who were seeking political patronage from SP were welcomed by the BSP. Therefore, SP’s effort of cleansing the political system failed because of the BSP. However, this time around voters of UP showed their resolved to get rid of such elements and ensured that most of them loose, thanks to the Election Commission that the electorate could freely caste their vote. A positive trend has begun due to efforts of elections commission and improved political understanding of the voters; however, political parties will also have to come on board with a resolve to cleanse the system.

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