{Of the 78 ministers in the cabinet, 33 (42%) have declared criminal cases against them in their election affidavits – ADR (source: https://indianexpress.com / https://thewire.in}. Usually we notice much bro-ha-ha on criminalization of politics but on ‘Law Makers’ it goes as ‘Kaan par yoo na rengna’. Although there are many Apex Court Judgments and many directions of the ‘Election Commission of India’ on the subject, political parties are habitual of flouting such directives as these go against their political interests. Going one step further, the Supreme Court in its directions had also specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. In compliance with Supreme Court orders the Election Commission also issued guidelines titled ‘Guidelines on publicity of criminal antecedents by political parties and candidates’.

Source: Indian Express November 22, 2023 02:45 UTC