M A I L B A G

PM must drop criminals from his ministry

Apropos of H.K. Dua’s article “Criminals in the House: The danger is collective, so is the solution” (June 12), there cannot be a better expression of anguish over the criminalisation of politics. I don’t know if this endeavour will take the right message to the leaders who matter but certainly such gestures bring a sense of awakening in the masses.

But unfortunately, for the people, the politicians on both sides of the line belong to the same class who hobnob with criminals with impunity to win elections and grab power. So, the hue and cry created by the BJP and others on the issue of tainted ministers was nothing but a gimmick to gain political mileage.

The solution does not lie in dropping a few tainted ministers but to develop a culture of ethics and principles in leaders who should refuse to give party tickets to tainted politicians.

Dr TIRATH GARG, Ferozepur City

II

All-right thinking people would strongly support Mr Dua’s views on the subject. The tragedy is that while giving party tickets to the aspiring candidates, it is the winnability of the aspirants that is given consideration and his moral character, conduct, talent and integrity take a back seat. However, both the Congress and the NDA are equal partners in perpetuating this practice.

It was the NDA government which did not allow a well-meaning amendment in the electoral law, desired by the Supreme Court and supported by the President, to debar nomination of tainted political leaders with criminal history from contesting the elections. Mr Dua has rightly said that the danger posed by the mafia gangs is collective and it has also to be faced collectively by all parties concerned.

K.L. MALHOTRA, Chandigarh

III

Mr Dua’s call to end criminalisation of politics is timely and thought-provoking. Politics, once a mission to serve the people, has now become a commodity and commercial business. Criminalisation of politics is so rampant that there are about 748 MLAs/MPs having a criminal background today.

The Westminster model of parliamentary democracy which we have adopted after Independence has been converted into kleptocracy and hence is a total failure. It is time the political system was thoroughly cleansed of the ills and we switched over to presidential form of government (the US model) with a biparty system.

Wg-Cdr GURMAIL SINGH, Chandigarh

IV

Criminals in politics are going stronger day by day. This trend needs to be reversed. Every party should shun criminals instead of rewarding them with the party ticket. After all, the government has to start with a clean state. Presumption of innocence till proved guilty doesn't seem to hold water. In the present context, it has become outdated when cases are reportedly pending against them for various criminal acts.

The blame game must end. The danger posed by mafia groups must be tackled collectively by all political parties. There is an urgent need for serious introspection by all political parties. The Council of Ministers should be kept off corrupt and criminal elements.

GURDERSHAN SINGH, Chandigarh

V

Both Houses of Parliament were in turmoil over the Opposition’s demand for removal of tainted ministers. Charges like murder, attempt to murder, rape, cheating, corruption and underworld connections are, no doubt, serious and continuation of these tainted ministers is deplorable. Though it is the Prime Minster’s prerogative to select his team, Dr Manmohan Singh was forced to appoint tainted members as ministers. Had he been given a free hand, Dr Singh, a perfect gentleman of integrity and sincerity, would never have included any disgraceful person in his council of ministers.

J.K. MAGO, Panchkula

VI

While applying for a job in the government or a private concern, a candidate has to declare that he was not convicted in the past and that no criminal proceedings are pending against him. Also, he has to furnish to the employer character certificates from two reputed persons and furnish names of two respectable persons for reference.

It is strange that political parties vie with each other to give tickets to history-sheeters for contesting the elections and insist on their inclusion in the council of ministers. The nation can’t expect them to enact a law barring the criminals from political activities. Perhaps, the judiciary should intervene and end this deplorable trend.

V.M. SETH, Hisar