Candidate protests rivals with criminal background contesting Gorakhpur village council polls

Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Oct.7 (ANI): A lady who plans to contest village council polls in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur District, has lodged a strong protest against people with criminal backgrounds contesting the same.

"I just want to say that if criminals are contesting elections, then who knows what will they do after winning the elections. They have already committed crimes, winning will only help them do more," said Madhuri Devi, a contestant.

Campaigning is on in full swing to elect the district village council head on October 11.

However, some contestants said that fake cases had been registered against them.

Rajneesh Kumar, a contestant said: "All the cases against me are fake. I have been trapped. They all are politically motivated. Criminals are those who offer illicit liquor and take lives of poor people."

A senior police officer said that contestants even come straight out of jail to file their nominations.

"I appeal voters through your medium to be careful while electing their candidate. We want a candidate who does not stays in jail but stay among us and helps in development," said P. K. Tiwari, Inspector General of Police, Gorakhpur. By Pawan Kumar Shah (ANI)