The lynching of Manoj Kumar Gupta, a PWD engineer in Uttar Pradesh, is gaining political overtones. His widow alleges that he was killed on the orders of the local BSP MLA for refusing to contribute Rs 50 lakh to UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday celebrations. The accused MLA — a history-sheeter — has been arrested. But given India’s rambling legal process, these allegations could remain just that. The truth might be some time away, but these allegations hit a raw nerve: they typify the rampant criminalisation and the opaque inner workings of our political parties.Mayawati’s success owes much to Indian democracy’s inclusive potential. But if Mayawati symbolises the redemptive power of Indian democracy, her party workings have often hinted at the seamier side of Indian politics. The BSP is notoriously driven by the cult of Maya, and several of her candidates have criminal records. But in this, the BSP is hardly alone. Criminal records dot the resumes of many legislators. With the possible exception of the Left, most parties field candidates with not just criminal charges, but records. Pushed to cite reasons for this, many politicians will refer to the problem of campaign and party finances. Whether or not this alone is responsible for the legislators we get, there is clearly a direct link between cleanly financed elections and clean legislators. Many analysts offer state funding of elections as a solution; others say it is not feasible in a developing country like India and that it handicaps smaller political players. Either way, the finances of politicians and political parties need to be made transparent.Many other reforms have been recommended. The Election Commission had suggested laws barring candidates who have charges framed against them, and granting powers to proactively monitor funding; but these were shot down by a standing committee of Parliament. The initiative, to carry through successfully, must be political. For a start there could be an all-party consensus to deny tickets to criminals. But in the end, the best deterrent is an effective law and order machinery. Mayawati must know that her government will be closely scrutinised on the investigation into the death of the engineer.
