BMC candidates to go through ''Agnipariksha''

Mumbai, Jan 6 (UNI) Candidates of all political parties, contesting the forthcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, will have to go through an 'agnipariksha' (trial by fire) literally, as AGNI (Action for Good Governance and Networking in India), a voluntary organisation, has decided to award grading system to the candidates.

Sharad Kumar, trustee of the body, told UNI the grading on a one to five scale would be based on the disclosure in the candidates affidavits about their criminal records, if any, income source for their livelihood, assets and liabilities, educational qualification and their work in the constituencey.

Mr Kumar said for this, they will launch two campaigns, 'Kaun Banega Corporator' and 'Aao Votergiri Campaign', from tomorrow, a day ahead of the nomination process for the elections scheduled for next month in order to create awareness among the voters. He said political parties approach their traditional vote banks, leaving the working and middle classes in the dark. To counter and eradicate the practice, Agni will form a strong 1000 vote blocks in various constituencies to back good candidates.

To facilitate the process, he said ''We have written to all political parties for their cooperation in selecting good and clean candidates. The BJP and the Congress have responded favourably to the proposal.'' He said to begin with, Agni will form blocks in 40 to 50 constituencies of different Municipal wards. The blocks will vote en masse for the best graded candidate and would later act as a watchdog on his performances.

Mr Kumar said in addition to the vote block strategy, all candidates would be graded by one to five grades.

This is the first time in the country that the organisation is attempting to grade candidates and is trying to change the voting pattern and participation of voters across wards. In the last elections, the organisation learnt that around 84 candidates won below a 1,000-vote margin, he added.

BMC is the largest cash rich municipal body in the country, with 227 corporators at its helm to run the affairs of the body. It has an annual budget of Rs 10,000 crore to maintain the civic affairs of two crore people in the city.

UNI