Jaipur: Winnability seems to be the only criteria for getting a party ticket in the Rajasthan Assembly elections. Both the ruling Congress and the Opposition BJP have embraced almost a dozen tainted elements and promoted dynastic politics all for a desperate win.
If someone has ripped Rahul Gandhi's spiel at the Congress Chintan Shivir in Jaipur in January 2013 on the need to cleanse the party of tainted leaders, nepotism and dynastic politics, it is him and the Congress itself.
The Congress has fielded many accused or family members of its leaders. Leela Maderna, the wife of former minister Mahipal Maderna charged with rape and murder in the Bhanwari Devi case, is contesting from Osian.
Hazari Lal Nagar, brother of former Rajasthan Minister Babulal Nagar accused of rape and under the CBI probe, is contesting from Dudu; Amri Devi, the 84-year-old mother of former Congress MLA Malkhan Singh co-accused in the Bhanwari Devi case, has been fielded from Luni, Udailal Aanjana, accused of rape and sexual exploitation, is seeking election from Nimbahera and Ramlal Jat, the former minister undergoing probe in a sexual assault and murder case, has also managed to get the Congress ticket.
Rajasthan Congress spokesperson Archana Sharma defends the candidates' selection. She said, "Winnability is an important consideration in elections...unless we win how will we form the government but we have tried to stick to the principles. Rahul Gandhi's intention was that people accused of serious crimes should be kept out."
The BJP also has its own share of tainted leaders in the fray. Vasundhara Raje loyalist charged in the Dara encounter case, Rajendra Rathore has got a ticket. The Congress is also pointing fingers at former home minister Gulab Chand Kataria facing a CBI probe in Sohrabuddin Sheikh encounter case.
The BJP which took the lead in announcing 176 names in one go with a strong Raje stamp is now struggling to get its house in order with the looming threat of large scale rebellion. But it is hoping that the Congress's long list of the tainted might just backfire.
The BJP state spokesperson Jyoti Kiran said, "Rahul Gandhi's formula which was hidden is now out in the open. Criminalise politics, reward criminalisation and protect and promote dynastic rule."
The ticket distribution proves that in politics more than anywhere rules are made to be broken, twisted and turned according to convenience.
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