State funding can end use of money power in elections

Bangalore, July 27 (UNI) State funding in elections at all levels can put an end to the ugly role of money power that dominated elections in India, according to Indian-born London city councillor Neeraj Patel.

Dr Patel, who represents Larkhall Ward in London City Corporation, while presenting a talk on the subject 'Can India Fly' said prosperity of a country mainly depended on politicians who run governments and it was high time corruption was rooted out in the country's elections.

He said to stop anti-social elements and criminals entering the electoral fray, 'political recruitment' could be tried in India like it was done in the West to select candidates.

Under the political recruitment system, political parties create a group who would have to undergo a series of tests and interviews and win at the party hustings before making it to the electoral fray, be it a corporation elections or parliamentary polls.

''This will help genuine politicians assume seats of power to serve the public,'' he said.

Dr Patel said voting behaviour among the people was the same in all parts of the world as 80 per cent of them were pre-determined voters, while the remaining 20 per cent were eleventh hour decision makers. ''Most of the times this 20 per cent voters decide the ultimate outcome of the elections,'' he added.

UNI RS RG AK RK1940