Episode 05 : Criminalization Of Politics

Growing rogues’ gallery (Part 1)

How can we expect quality governance from elected representatives when many of them are facing serious criminal charges? This section looks at how attempts to keep tainted candidates out of politics have been blocked by political parties across the spectrum. Of the 543 Members of Parliament elected in the 2009 general elections, as many as 30% face criminal charges, some for serious crimes like murder, kidnapping, human trafficking, dacoity and rape. Professor Jagdeep Chhokar, co-founder and trustee of the Association for Democratic Reforms, an organization that works for electoral and political reforms, talks about the many hurdles faced by the groups that are fighting to ensure candidates facing criminal charges are kept out of governance. How does the presence of tainted politicians impact ordinary citizens? Find out in Madhya Pradesh- based advocate Mragendra Singh Bundela’s poignant story. His elder daughter was assaulted and murdered by a politician from a national party. Dr D. N. Gautam, former Director General of Police, Bihar talks about how the blatant display of money power in politics has risen drastically through the years.

  

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