Only a few days to go before the fate of 264 candidates are decided in 47 constituencies of the state in the first phase of the Assam Assembly elections. The candidates filed their nominations with huge pomp and a magnificent display of fanfare. But as eager as the candidates are to contest and win, here arises the real question- Are the candidates really stain-free to represent the people? Let us have a look:
A report by the poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed that sixteen percent of the candidates contesting in the first phase of Assam assembly elections have declared criminal cases against themselves.
The Assam Election Watch and ADR have analysed the sworn affidavits of 259 out of the 264 candidates in the first phase. Among them, 41 candidates have declared criminal cases and 34 candidates have declared serious criminal cases.
Among the major parties, 10 candidates from the Congress, eight from the Assam Jatiya Parishad, three from the BJP and one candidate each from the NCP, AGP and Socialist Unity Centre of India (Communist) have declared criminal cases in their affidavits.
Also, nine candidates from the Congress, six from the Assam Jatiya Parishad, three from the BJP and one candidate each from the NCP, AGP the SUCI(C) have declared serious criminal cases. Serious criminal cases are non-bailable offenses with over five years of imprisonment.
Meanwhile, five candidates namely Achyut Saikia, Anjar Hussain and Janmoni Borah representing the AJP, BJP candidate from the Lakhimpur constituency Manab Deka and an independent candidate contesting from the Bokakhat constituency have declared cases related to crime against women. In addition, AJP’s Janmoni Borah has also declared cases related to rape.
Moreover, two Candidates namely Kushal Deuri of BJP from Thowra constituency and Congress president Ripun Bora have declared cases related to murder and four candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder against themselves.
Thus, it can be seen the directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in the selection of candidates in Phase 1 of the Assam Assembly Elections 2021 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to candidates with a criminal history. These candidates chosen by parties make one question- Is it morally right for the political parties to field out tainted candidates? Don’t the people deserve better options?
