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11 out of 31 Chief Ministers having criminal cases

Kashmir Times. Dated: 2/17/2018 3:48:42 PM

Dear Editor,
Election Commission in its affidavit filed at Supreme Court has proposed that those accused of offences punishable with at least five years in jail be barred from contesting elections after a court frames charges against them if the case is registered at least six months prior to the election. Now with shocking report of Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealing that as many as 11 out of total 31 state Chief Ministers in the country having criminal cases registered against them, it is desired that Central government may accept the recommendations instead of getting any direction from the Apex Court. Unfortunately every poll-reform of this type comes only after Supreme Court directions with no government of any alliance or party serious for purity in public life.
It is time that a consolidated move for eliminating wrong-doers from being poll-contestants. Defaulters of public-dues should be barred from contesting any next elections or holding any official post till all dues are cleared against them, and non-entitled government-accommodations are vacated. It is shame that even persons posted on highly dignified post of Prime Minister are defaulters of dues for use of Indian Air Force (IAF) aircrafts for non-official purposes. Every post-retirement benefit including government-accommodation, pension, secretariat etc should be snatched for ever from former Prime Ministers in case of default at time of demitting the office. Even later payments may not provide such luxurious facilities back to them.
—Madhu Agrawal,
1775 Kucha Lattushah
Dariba, Chandni Chowk Delhi.