In the recent local body election that went down in Bihar the Congress victory was met with resounding applause. But the situation remains dire, we rejoice in the victory of the lesser of the two evils – we chose the common cold over the cancer. And the figures that have been released since show that 143 MLAs, a whopping 59%, in the new Bihar assembly face criminal charges, and 96 MLAs face serious criminal charges including murder and kidnapping.
But the malaise does not affect Bihar alone or a singular party, it is widespread – read on for more disappointment in our governing system.
Here are a list of Indian politicos who set the bar real low.
1. Pramod Muthalik
Hate speech, defiling religious books, violating prohibitory orders
Founder and chief of the Rashtriya Hindu Sena, the man has at least 48 cases filed against him, funny thing is he has not been arrested even once. Most of these cases are still under investigation.Source: DNA India
2. Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Disproportionate assets and embezzelment
He was investigated by the CBI, CAG and IRS on corruption charges, was later arrested and imprisoned for 16 months. In 2004 Jagan’s tax returns showed assets at Rs. 9.2 lakh, in April 2009, Jagan revealed total assets of Rs. 77 crores, and by 2011 this has allegedly increased to amount Rs. 365 crore.
3. Madhu Koda
Dispproportionate assets, Madhu Koda Mining Scam
He was sworn in as the fourth chief minister of Jharkhand from 2006 to 2008. And he also has the honorary place in the Madhu Koda Mining Scam which happened in his state. He used his powers while he was in power to sanction iron-ore and coal mining contracts to private businesses in turn for over Rs. 4000 crores.
4. Jayalalithaa
18 year old disproportionate assets case
Jayalalithaa was disqualified from office after she was convicted of owning assets to the tune of Rs 66.65 crores (including 2,000 acres of land, 30 kg of gold and 12,000 saris) disproportionate to her known sources of income during 1991-96 when she was chief minister for the first time.
5. Ashok Chavan
Misuse of power, Adarsh Housing Scam
The Adarsh Housing Society, a posh 31 storey building in Colaba was constructed for the welfare of war widows and personnel of India’s Ministry of Defence. Using loopholes in the rules of land ownership the flats were alloted to politicians, bureaucrats, and military officers at below-market rates.
6. Lalu Prasad Yadav
Fodder Scam
After reports of alleged embezzlement of money withdrawn from animal husbandry department were tabled from 1990-95 Lalu Prasad Yadav ordered a probe. It was later found that the minister himself was involved in the siphoning of 450 crores from the animal husbandry department.
7. Suresh Kalmadi
Conspiracy, forgery, misconduct
Kalmadi was serving as the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee when he was arrested in the Timing-Scoring-Result case. He was subsequently arrested for criminal conspiracy and cheating. During the investigation he made a claim of dementia dementia which was not proved.
8. A Raja
2G Scandal
When Raja was in charge of the Telecommunications and IT industry he was accused and later convicted of the sale of telecommunication bandwidth to select organisations at prices that understated the estimated market value at the time. The Government of India incurred losses amounting to around ₹1766.45 billion
9. Shiela Dixit
Corruption, Commonwealth Case
The erstwhile CM of Delhi was investigated for alloting 3.5 crores of government funds form the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana towards her political campaign. She was later accused of corruption regarding the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
10. A. Kanimozhi
Conspiracy, accepting bribes
Kanimozhi was convicted along with her brother A. Raja in the 2G Scandal for accepting bribes and conspiring in the mis-selling of telecom licenses. She was also summoned by the Income Tax Department, Chennai for alleged tax evasion charges.
11. Amit Shah
Murder, extortion, kidnapping
Amit Shah political career was damaged by his connection in the Sohrabuddin case – where a fake encounter was orchestrated by senior police officials at Amit Shah’s command.
12. Mayawati
Taj Corridor Case, dispproportionate assets
The government of Uttar Pradesh sanctioned the repair of the Taj Heritage Corridor an important tourist area in Agra that is centered around the Taj Mahal. The project was fraught with problems including discrepancies in the release of funds. An income tax raid carried out also revealed disproportionate assets.
13. Uma Bharti
Communal violence, Ram Janm Bhoomi
Bharti is a staunch supporter of the Ram Janm Bhoomi Movement and was a prominent face and name during the riot that resulted in the demolition of the Babri Masjid. She was indicted for inciting a mob to riot by The Liberhan Commission that investigated the incident
14. Yedyurappa
Abuse of power, disproportionate assets
Yeddyurappa was accused of using his official power and position to favour his sons and he sold them an acre of land in Bangalore for Rs. 40 lakhs which was then sold to a mining company for 40 crores. To defend himself the minister declared his assets which revealed more disproportionate assets.
15. Sharad Pawar
Stamp paper scam, IPL exemption from tax, disproportionate assets
Besides his close connection with high profile criminals, Pawar was a beneficiary in the Telgi stamp paper scam. He was also allegedly been involved in multi-crore scams that involved wheat imports and accused of colluding in the extreme hike in agricultural prices during his time as Minister of Agriculture.
16. Nitin Gadkari
Bribery, benami investments
Gadkari has been accused of accepting bribes from corporations like Mahalaxmi Infraprojects and Dhirendra Anant Bhat as he was one of the parties in the irrigation scam. He has also been sent a show cause notice for inducing voters to take bribes.
17. Akbaruddin Owaisi
Hate mongering, hurting religious sentiments
At a speech in Adilabad in 2012 Owaisi made inflammatory statements against Hindu gods, deities, and factions like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bhartiya Janata Party, and Narendra Modi. He was later arrested for his statements but got out on bail.