No Criminals in Politics

[Yatin]

60 years and 14 Lok Sabha's later we are still trying to educate ourselves about the need to have honest people to run the government.

Unfortunately it is still just a topic of discussion among well meaning people called NGOs. This is because a whole lot of youth do not discuss this matter at all. It is the youth who can enforce change, and this has been proven world over. In these elections can the real change for good governance, be enforced by an aware and alert electorate - the youth.

82% of the youth do not vote. And youth between 18-28 years form about 40% of the electorate....Check out these speakers at a Forum called "No Criminals in Politics" held in Mumbai, March 25. What they want is for more young people to come out and vote for clean politics.

The Association for Democratic reforms went about systematically and tirelessly working the courts for one objective - to get every candidate to declare his record - whether he has any criminal cases pending against him, and what are his assets. These two important things can change the face of politics, get rid of criminals setting foot in Parliament and legislature.

http://clubjam.jammag.com/video/no-crimnals-in-politics
http://clubjam.jammag.com/video/no-criminalisation-of-politics
http://clubjam.jammag.com/video/no-crimnalisation-of-politics

[Yatin]

No Criminals in Politics;
If you'd like to sign the online petition started by the ADR - Association of Democratic Reforms which has amongst others Trilochan Sastry the Dean of IIM Bangalore and Ajit Ranade the Group conomist for the Birla Group.
http://www.petitiononline.com/indiaadr/

You can also visit www.adrindia.org and find out more about they do.

[Yatin]

Dear would be Member of Parliament,
We would like to raise some questions of local interest and some of national interest.

Local interest :
(a)How can schemes and policies of the national government be informed to us and be made available to us.
(b)How can public voice an opinion on infrastructre projects - like the Worli Bandra sea link which is lying pending for ...for what ?
(c) Are we better off giving every infrastructure project to the private sector because only they can get things done?
(d) Can you hold the state and local government responsible, accountable. Can you voice your constituency's grievances against the ruling state government/local government?

National interest :
(a)Can you as an MP really affect national events, policies. If so how? Or are you bound by your regional party diktats.
(b) Can you individually do any thing to make the national government listen to you? We never hear of any MP making any difference to policy, neither national, nor local.
(b) Other than voting for or against the governments, or, for or against ordinances and bills, what other role do you play?
What would you personally like to do in your role as MP.

What are your limitations other than mentioned in (a)

Do MPs only wait to make their "killing" during a vote of confidence?
Do MPs wantonly misuse funds for MPLADs?
Are MPs heard by the media? Do MPs have any channel of communication to their constituency?
Can the MP make any difference at all?

Why should we vote for you? Why should we bother to come out to vote at all ?

[Yatin]

17% CANDIDATES IN MAHARASHTRA WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS
The following Press Release by the National Election Watch the NGO Elections watchdog, on April 10th.
It is being carried verbatim. For more information go to their website http://www.nationalelectionwatch.org/ and check "New Press Releases"

MAHARASHTRA
PRESS RELEASE
April 10, 2009
LOKSABHA ELECTIONS – PHASE 1
Data in this Kit is presented in good faith, with an intention to inform voters.
Candidates' affidavit with nomination papers is the source of this analysis.
E&OE
Page 1 of 39
Press Release – April 10, 2009 – For Immediate Publication
Mumbai, India –
National Election Watch (NEW) – Maharashtra would like to inform the voters of Maharashtra about the declarations made by 246 candidates contesting the elections from 13 constituencies in Phase-1.The following pages give the number and percentage of candidates, Constituency wise as well as Party wise, with Criminal Records, Total Assets More Than Rs.1 Crore, PAN Card Declaration and Educational Level. (The data is available for 242 of 246 candidates, as of now.)

Highlights –

Total no. of Candidates with Criminal Records = 42 (i.e. 17% of 242 candidates)
Most of the major political parties have fielded candidates with criminal records.
29 “Karodpatis” in 242 candidates (12%)
68% of candidates (165 of 242) have not furnished PAN card details.
More than 100 candidates are graduates and above.
Average asset value for 242 candidates = Rs. 102 lacs
o Up by 178% as compared to 2004 data for candidates from the same constituencies.
(Average Rs.37 lacs)

SMS and Helpline Campaign
We have stared a helpline and SMS campaign to enable voters to get information on candidate’s
background to help them make an informed choice while voting.
The details about the helpline:
Toll-free no: 1-800-110-440 Day/Hours of operation: Mon-Sat (10am – 6pm)
Information given: Criminal records, Assets, Liabilities and Education Qualifications
Source of Information: Candidate information given in affidavits
Initially the information based on earlier affidavits only will be provided. New information based on current affidavits will also be provided as and when it becomes available (usually about 7-8 days before the election dates)

The details about SMS campaign:
NEW will send 3 messages a week starting immediately till elections. The messages will contain fact based
information. To register, please send SMS MYNETA to 56070.
This message will provide information about the candidate (criminal and other background information) for the constituency containing that pin code and will also register you to receive 3 messages a week till the elections are ……. To read more download the pdf from NEW Webite http://www.nationalelectionwatch.org/ or click on
http://groups.google.co.in/group/national-ew-news/browse_thread/thr...

[P.J.Boy]

Sadly, It was a Gandhi, who initiated 'criminalisation of politics', NaxalBari, Emergency followed later.
I feel that till the time Religion and Legislative / Judiciary are not seperated there can be no hope.

Not secularism, but, no tolerence of religion in administration, legislative and judiciary domains can only be a hope for better tomorrow and representation of people.

[Chetan]

This is worth a read, i also read some months ago about one Neta saying "Prisoners in jail should be allowed to vote"

Sure sir, we allow the criminal background people to be a candidate why not voting ?"


Thanks for the fact 17% with c...

[Aditya Kulkarni]

i agree that the youth should participate in the system more actively...we should learn from the mistakes that our older generation made...sadly, politics has mostly become a medium for people to network and crack high profile deals between themselves...lots of moolah you see?

"Why should we bother to come out to vote at all ?"
because these people represent you and take decisions 'on behalf of you'...these decisions affect your life, directly or indirectly...you can sulk and stay at home if you like, but thts not gonna change a darned thing! instead, go and vote for a 'comparatively' better candidate...