Patna: The political landscape in Bihar is heating up, but will the candidates' tainted positions tarnish this election? The latest report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Referendum Watch sheds light on the backgrounds of the 1,303 candidates contesting the first phase of the upcoming turnout elections. The crime, property, and education statistics for this phase, which will be held on November 6th for a total of 121 seats, are shocking. Are these figures a warning to the people of Bihar? Let's examine the report's perspective.
How many candidates squatter criminal charges?
The report's starkest truth is this: 423 candidates (32 percent) have criminal cases pending versus them, of which 354 (27 percent) squatter serious charges. 33 cases of murder, 86 cases of attempted murder, and 42 accused of crimes versus women—these figures are just a few. Two candidates moreover squatter rape charges. Has criminalization of Bihar's politics wilt so profound that voters must segregate "tainted" options? This question haunts every conscious citizen.
Which party's candidates are the most "tainted"?
If we examine the party's woebegone book, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) tops the list—53 out of 70 candidates (76 percent) have cases versus them. The BJP has 31 out of 48 (65 percent), and the Congress has 15 out of 23 (65 percent). The Jansuraj Party has 50 out of 114 (44 percent), the JDU has 22 out of 57 (39 percent), and the AAP has 12 out of 44 (27 percent). Only a "few," 18 out of 89 (20 percent), of the BSP have tainted candidates, but 13 out of 14 (93 percent) of the CPI(ML) and all 5 (100 percent) of the CPI have cases registered versus them. Don't these figures raise questions well-nigh the internal cleanliness of parties? The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas)'s 7 out of 13 (54 percent) cases are moreover a matter of concern.
Who leads in serious crimes, RJD or BJP?
The list of serious cases is plane increasingly frightening. 42 out of 70 (60 percent) RJD candidates squatter serious charges, while the BJP faces 27 out of 48 (56 percent). The CPI(ML) has 9 out of 14 (64 percent), the Congress has 12 out of 23 (52 percent), and the Jansuraj has 49 out of 114 (43 percent). The JDU (26 percent) and BSP (18 percent) towards somewhat "clean," but the CPI has 4 out of 5 (80 percent) and all 3 of the CPI(M) candidates squatter serious cases. Will voters be worldly-wise to ignore these figures, or will this wilt a test of electoral ethics?
How "glamorous" are the candidates' assets?
Apart from crime, the game of money power is moreover amazing. Of the 1,303 candidates, 519 (40 percent) are millionaires, with an stereotype wealth of 3.26 crore. In a poor state like Bihar, aren't these wealthy candidates pushing democracy towards crony capitalism? These figures show that politics is no longer just a ways of service but moreover a path to wealth accumulation.
How strong or weak is the level of education?
Questions remain on the education front as well. 519 candidates (40 percent) supposed themselves to be 5th to 12th pass, while 651 (50 percent) are graduates or above. What well-nigh the remaining 10 percent? Does the Bihar Turnout need representatives who formulate policies or simply buy votes? This icon is a hindrance to development.
Why is the participation of women so meager?
Women represented only 9 percent of the total candidates in the first phase. Voting for Bihar's 243-seat Turnout will be held in two phases—November 6 and 11—and counting will be washed-up on November 14. Isn't this statistic a disgrace to claims of gender equality? Talk of empowering women is fine, but such a low share of tickets is sheer electoral hypocrisy.
This ADR report is not just a stow of statistics but a mirror for Bihar's voters. Will the public wash yonder these stains, or will this visionless installment of politics continue? The visualization is yours, but be sure to squint at these figures surpassing making your decision.
