India – Ethics in Politics

May 25, 2014

By Padmini Arhant

Indian election is over and the winning political parties along with opposition are being sworn to various posts in the legislative assembly. 

Meanwhile the relevant data released by National Election Watch (NEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) confirm that every third newly elected MP has a criminal case.

According to the report the trend in the election of parliament members with criminal charges disclosed in their affidavits exponentially higher in the 16th Lok Sabha i.e. the recently ended election.

Similarly the surge in 2009 was no less considering the influx of domestic and foreign funds in election campaign combined with the absence of accountability invalidating electability criteria.

Among 541 from 543 elected members – 186 otherwise 34 percent are declared to have criminal cases against them in the current electoral outcome with a sharp 4 percent increase than earlier.

The statistics reveal that out of 186 winning members in the latest Lok Sabha election with criminal charges – 

112 or 21 percent of them acknowledged to have serious criminal cases notwithstanding murder, attempt to murder, responsible for communal clashes, abductions and crimes against women.

Furthermore, those with criminal background prevailing in the election evidently greater i.e. 13 percent compared with contestants in possession of clean record only having 5 percent winning chance.

Again 442 out of 543 i.e. 82 percent of winning candidates economic status is categorized as millionaires or crorepati.

Both major political parties – BJP 237 out of 281 – 84 percent and,

Congress 35 (80 percent) of 44 winners are millionaires / crorepatis not to mention the billionaires in the hierarchy.

As for the regional factions party wise – 29 (78 percent) of 37 winners in AIADMK and,

Trinamool Congress (TMC) 21 (62 percent) of 34 elected members admittedly have assets exceeding 1 crore / million or more.

The average asset for individual winner is Rs. 14.61 crore / million and each candidate including those losing elections is Rs. 3.16 crore. 

BJP 281 successful candidates average wealth is Rs. 11.59 crore whereas 44 Lok Sabha representative for Congress average asset net worth Rs. 16.71 crore.

In terms of literacy in the just concluded election – the report highlights on one elected candidate as self-claimed illiterate. 

Moreover 125 (23 percent) winners have educational qualifications Class 12 or below.

Simultaneously 405 (75 percent) are graduates and above.

On the age group – 202 (37 percent) fall in the age group 25 – 50 years.

298 (55 percent) are between 51 -70 years. 

The remaining 41 elected are 71 and over. 

The gender ratio difference is still substantial with 61 (11 percent) women elected to parliament with 543 seats despite the representation relatively better than the number – 57 women in 2009 election result.

Obviously the political reform encompassing appropriate standards to perform the constitutional duty as diligent capable lawmakers with credibility and integrity urgently required for proper understanding and implementation of laws demonstrating effective governance. 

The disclosure is a reflection of the political system disconnect with mainstream reality.

The lack of transparency and political immunity facilitates tradition ignoring ethics and eligibility for the position in public office.

However, the new concept and framework will be provided in this context to improve efficiency and reliance on government role besides independence from hegemony dominance.

Peace to all!

Thank you.

Padmini Arhant

 

Preferences
Preferences
Preferences
Preferences
Preferences
Preferences
Preferences
§
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
–
=
Backspace
Tab
q
w
e
r
t
y
u
i
o
p
[
]
Return
capslock
a
s
d
f
g
h
j
k
l
;
‘
\
shift
`
z
x
c
v
b
n
m
,
.
/
shift
English
alt
alt
Preferences

Written by Padmini Arhant · Filed Under Featured, Indian Sub-Continent, International Politics 

Comments

Got something to say?

You must be logged in to post a comment.