India is one of the main targets for climate change. I wonder how the government is going to exercise control over its people in order to meet the challenge of controlling emissions.
"Criminals see this as a business opportunity to make money and gain a foothold in politics, while parties depend on them to win elections."
-- Himanshu Jha, coordinator of the rights organization Social Watch India, in an interview with Reuters, on estimates that nearly a fifth of 5,500 candidates in India's general election face criminal charges. In the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, widely seen as one of India's most corrupt states run by near feudal leaders, regional strongman Mukhtar Ansari -- who has a dozen murder cases against him -- is contesting the election from his cell in a high security prison, where he is facing trial for murder. The Indian constitution allows politicians facing criminal cases to contest polls, and critics say mafia dons and corrupt regional bosses are using their money and power to garner votes. A quarter of India's 543 elected members in parliament already have criminal cases pending against them, according to Social Watch India. Experts say it reflects how corruption and politics have co-existed in India for decades, undermining transparency and efficiency in governance and implementation. The third phase of the five-phased Indian general elections is being held Thursday.
(source: Global Development Briefing, www.devex.com)
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre53s2zq-us-india-election-criminals/
"One is facing a murder charge, another arrested for abduction, while a third is fighting a robbery case. Welcome to India's general election, where nearly a fifth of 5,500 candidates face criminal charges."