The news report "Sena, RJD top 'criminal' lawmakers' list" (July 30) not only confirms the perception that our Parliament and state legislatures abound in members with criminal charges against them but also leads one to draw some disturbing conclusions. That the average assets of candidates for legislatures stand at Rs 1.4 crore shows that contesting elections is beyond the capacity of ordinary citizens. Indirectly, it indicates how the limits on expenditure incurred for candidates standing for elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, of Rs 40 lakh and Rs 16 lakh respectively (including the amount spent by the candidate's party), are out of tune with reality. The solution lies in eliminating the wrongdoers from the election scene.
Also, a gaping 13 percentage point difference between the success rate of clean and tainted candidates (in latter's favour) signifies why the parties opt for such contestants. All this explains why there is a dearth of honest candidates. The recent Supreme Court decision barring convicted people from contesting elections is a significant step. But the deep malaise needs drastic measures.
Y G Chouksey Pune
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Also, a gaping 13 percentage point difference between the success rate of clean and tainted candidates (in latter's favour) signifies why the parties opt for such contestants. All this explains why there is a dearth of honest candidates. The recent Supreme Court decision barring convicted people from contesting elections is a significant step. But the deep malaise needs drastic measures.
Y G Chouksey Pune
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number