AERIAL VIEW
Yes, political parties are responsible for giving a platform to the tainted persons to come to power. But are the political parties only to be blamed? What about the people who cast their votes for some petty benefits?
While commenting, we often say, “Politics is a very dirty game. Politics is made only for corruption. We can say corruption is a part of politics.” But in reality, do we elect clean candidates. But how much do we really practice this when casting our vote? Do we think twice before casting or choosing the vote? Or we simply press the button based on his religion, status or the money distributed?
We have seen clean candidates. Valmiki Naik has been overlooked in the past. So who is responsible for the situation?
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
The Bharatiya Janata Party’s decision to nominate a “tainted” Babush Monseratte over “educated” Utpal Parrikar has sparked off a new debate on why a person with a criminal background was preferred over an educated person.
Of Course, for a political party, winnability always matters. For the sake of it, many parties or leaders may comment they prefer clean and honest candidates, but winnability is taken into consideration when it comes to disbursing tickets.
Yes, political parties are responsible for giving a platform to the tainted persons to come to power. But are the political parties only to be blamed? What about the people who cast their votes for some petty benefits?
While commenting, we often say, “Politics is a very dirty game. Politics is made only for corruption. We can say corruption is a part of politics.” But in reality, do we elect clean candidates. But how much do we really practice this when casting our vote? Do we think twice before casting or choosing the vote? Or we simply press the button based on his religion, status or the money distributed?
We have seen clean candidates. Valmiki Naik has been overlooked in the past. So who is responsible for the situation?
When a person wants to become a political leader, they beg votes from people, but once they have won the elections, they become the king; they feel they are undisputed. They do nothing for the same people and forget about the promises made to the people who voted for them. The only thing on politicians’ minds is to make money for their future.
In that pursuit, they commit several crimes and think they would get away with it.
Yes, blaming voters for the same will only aggravate the situation.
This is simply because the politicians like Babush etc., use poverty and migrants to their advantage.
The poor people and mostly migrants cast their votes in favour of the politicians hoping they would get employment or some quick money during election like Rs 2000 to Rs 5000 per vote. For them, it is big money.
Of Course, the Election Commission of India and the political outfits also know who is a criminal and who is not but allow criminal candidates to contest in politics. There is no law to bar such politicians unless they are convicted. This loophole has been kept in the law, because we all know it takes decades for a person to be sentenced in a case. This is simply because the same criminals elected are lawmakers, and why will they make any law which would bar them from contesting elections in future?
Despite this contention, there is little doubt that it is the voter’s responsibility to vote or not a candidate with a criminal background.
We must understand the value of our votes and choose those leaders who are aware of the work done by the leader.
As citizens, we are responsible for electing a good leader who should think for our State.
To sum up the whole issue, our politicians, before taking bribes, first bribe the people (voters).
This is the dance of democracy in our country.
