UTTAR Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati had been entrenched in the belief that her administration was vigilant in dealing with crime, especially in comparison with the previous governments. There has indeed been some improvement. She turned the heat on organised crime groups. She was bent on cleaning up public life, systematically purging her party of political workers with criminal records. 12 BSP MLAs, one minister and one MP are behind bars. But an investigation has recently revealed a reverse trend. Her government has also tried to ensure that several key BSP politicians are cleared of embarrassing criminal charges including rape, murder, kidnapping and electoral offences. It is said to be in the public interest. The case of Shahnawaz Rana suspended in June after allegations were made against him for kidnapping and attempted rape is an instance where the accused is likely to be let off the hook. Similarly, D P Yadav, MLA, is at large though charges against him are galore. The Mayawati government has obviously gone soft on criminality in politics.
Mayawati’s move can impair good governance in her state. Whitewashing history sheeters may have lasting consequences. The Chief Minister had earlier challenged Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quarashi’s contention that those with criminal records cannot contest elections. She said that only those convicted should be disqualified. It looks as if Uttar Pradesh would go back to its shady record of criminalisation of politics. Mayawati should arrest this trend if she wants to improve the state’s law and order situation and fulfill her election promise of 2007. The opposition, the Congress and the BJP, is gunning for her following the investigation findings.