By AFPMore by this AuthorNEW DELHI,Indian police charged a would-be election candidate with animal cruelty Wednesday after he rode a donkey to file his application for the national ballot. Mani Bhushan Sharma, a perennial long-shot candidate, filed his nomination papers on Monday followed by a short donkey ride outside the local election office in Jehanabad town, eastern Bihar state. "We have filed a case under prevention of cruelty to animals against the politician," Shree Maneesh, Jehanabad police chief, told AFP. Mr Maneesh did not elaborate on the exact charges against Mr Sharma, and donkey and mules rides are legal and common in India. India last month began mammoth national elections for the lower house of the parliament that stretches for six weeks, with results expected on May 23.

Source: Daily Nation May 01, 2019 15:45 UTC