AAP’s recent electoral victory in Delhi was seen as a win for democracy. The Ballot beat the Bullet. Secularism beat Fascism. Development beat Divisiveness etc. etc. But AAP’s electoral victory was also validation for another critical component of our democracy – backing of winnable candidates by political parties(often those with pending criminal cases), at any cost.
Arvind Kejriwal is the Delhi Chief Minister and National Convener/ Master and Commander of AAP. In his early days, here are some of the values that Kejriwal espoused:
In the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, 42/70 (60%) of AAP candidates had pending criminal cases and 36/70 (51%) of AAP candidates had serious* pending criminal charges against them (*non-bailable, max punishment > 5 years, crimes related to elections, murder/rape, RP act, corruption, against women). And the people of Delhi have proudly elected 38 AAP MLAs with pending criminal cases (32 MLAs with serious pending criminal cases)
Why does this matter?
- Political parties have tremendous influence over our democracy. We only choose from candidates put in front of us by political parties and have ZERO say in who gets tickets. Despite having this complete power over selecting our legislators, India’s political parties are completely opaque in the way that they function. The world’s largest democracy is essentially run by organizations that are completely undemocratic. A few “good” men – be it Kejriwal or Rahul Gandhi or Modi are not going to systemically change anything if our legislatures across the centre & every state are essentially presided over by criminals – there is no silver bullet solution.
- Every political party supporter has a way to justify pending criminal cases against candidates and legislators from their party (“these cases are politically motivated”, “they are still pending charges” etc. etc.) However, as per the relevant supreme court judgement, candidates need to disclose only those cases which were filed six months before the notification of any election. They are required to disclose only those cases in which punishment can be for two years or more of imprisonment, and in which charges have been framed by a court of law. Cases in which a judicial mind has been applied to frame charges are not frivolous. Candidates do not have to disclose cases which the court dismissed or in which charges have not been framed.
- Many of these candidates would be unfit for any public/private sector job. Yet, as long as it meets our political convenience, we keep finding ways to justify criminals running the country.
So let’s rejoice and celebrate some of the best AAP MLAs! Here is a small sample:
How would AAP supporters react if such legislators belonged to the BJP or Congress?
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I think, to make the study more comprehensive, can you also share what option the voter had? How many of BJP candidates had criminal record? After all voter can opt from the available choices.
You are correct. And that’s literally what this post says. Our political parties (including AAP) need to be held accountable. Here is a breakdown of candidates fielded by the parties https://m.facebook.com/wahsarkar/photos/a.156463291087169/2785492421517563/?type=3&source=48
We the middle-class people are worried about:
1 – The future of the youth of today who are in the final year of their professional year to graduate. (our children’s children)
2 – The unknown mafia that controls our neighbourhood and our life.
3 – Buerucrats who are inefficient and corrupt.
4 – The police who are the law and not law keepers.
5 – The people who do not pay taxes.
6 – The lawmakers who are known as politicians and millionaires.
7 – The TV channels who report crime and not report what people need to know.
8 – The law that has loopholes that delay justice.
9 – The Food Prices that keep raising months after month.
These Nava Ratna’s are sufficient to be fixed in next 4 years so as to have a good governance.
All valid points. Also, no number of Mandirs and Hindutva nonsense can be used as compensation.