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Why I will not vote for JD(S) in this election, or ever.
Written By murali772 - 23 March, 2010
Bangalore governance BBMP law and order Elections Media Reports accountability
With state JD(S) chief H D Kumaraswamy on Monday brazenly saying that he saw nothing wrong in fielding criminals if they looked like winnable candidates, the comfort that Bangaloreans enjoyed, compared to those living in the cow belt, has evaporated. In an exclusive interaction with TOI ahead of BBMP polls, Kumaraswamy said that his criteria for giving tickets to criminals is simple: he/she should have the support of party workers and people of the area and should be able to win. Obviously a case of political arithmetic trumping morals and scruples. But, is it right to bring criminals into politics? “What’s wrong? It’s a chance for them to reform. If they change, isn’t it an achievement and better for the society?”
For the full report, click here.
It is not as if the other parties are totally clean, either. When Prof Rajeev Gowda, the spokesman of the Congress, was asked if he can guarantee that his party was not fielding candidates with criminal records, at the TV-9 debate yesterday, he was evasive and stated that he was only in-charge of putting out the manifesto, sounding very apologetic. As compared to that, this statement of Mr Kumaraswamy is no less than an open invitation to indulge in crime.
Incidentally, this is also the person, who after the trouncing his party suffered in the Assembly elections, was reported to have told his party workers "let's not bother with Bangalore" - check this
Certainly, Bangalore does not want someone like him leading it.
Muralidhar Rao
COMMENTS
The flip side - We still vote criminals
Naveen - 23 March, 2010 - 10:13
HDK's statement sounds questionable, is dubious & he sounds like an irresponsible politician prepared to stoop to any level in his desperation to win back some of his party's losses.
However, as mentioned by Nanda Ramesh above, if there are deserving cases, there is no harm as they might contribute well.
Knowing our politics, the sad part is that people still vote for corrupt criminals. Who is to be blamed then ?
nanda_ramesh - 23 March, 2010 - 08:15
I think, if the criminal in question has paid his dues and indeed reformed, he can certainly contest and give back to society.
But is that the case for those are in the fray now? I don't think so. It is upto the people to reject such candidates. I read in Bangalore Mirror today that many goondas with active cases against them have fielded their wives as their wards are reserved for women.
nanda
HDK would not mind leading criminals.
psaram42 - 23 March, 2010 - 10:17
In Karnataka people took solace thinking criminalization of politics is only in the cow belt area.
“Cow Belt is a term often used by Indian media to refer the group of Indian states located along the Indo-Gangetic Plain. In these states infrastructure, education and living standard is very poor. Despite the stronghold on politics these states failed in overall development.”
But unfortunately things are changing. In democracy it is the majority that counts. If a criminal is able to win an election a party would not mind giving a ticket to such a person. In a recent debate organized by TOI HD Kumaraswamy brazenly voiced this opinion. This makes one wonder whether HDK has scant regard to law and order or values in life. People are hungry for power and accumulating wealth far greater than necessary. HDK would not mind leading criminals.
silkboard - 23 March, 2010 - 11:43
I applaud HDK for having the guts to say this out loud, just like he had when he taunted Bangaloreans as people who don't care to vote. TOI would certainly have twisted a few words in their coverage, I am guessing HDK would have said something like - whats the problem if the candidate can get votes and win?
Like nanda_ramesh said above
"It is upto the people to reject such candidates."
Judging people outside of courts (who is a criminal and who is not) is not our job, voting for who we think is not a criminal is.
Indian Election Commission should consider these things..
Vasanth - 23 March, 2010 - 09:55
If any of the family members, father, husband, brother is having a criminal record, he should never be given ticket. I don't know how this can be implemented, but it should be implemented.
A lady candidate came to my home and all of her fellow men looked like utter 'Goondas'. How can I vote if all of the candidates are like this?
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