OF INDIA’S 837 POLITICAL PARTIES, 159 ARE IN UP ============================================ Mon, Mar 12 Search: Yahoo! News India WebTOP STORIES By IANS Monday March 12, 10:03 AM Lucknow, March 12 (IANS) Out of 837 registered political parties nationwide, Uttar Pradesh alone grabs the huge share of 159, says a publication of the Election Commission of India ahead of the assembly elections in the state. However, what is surprising is most of the names listed as political parties have either never been heard of or been seen existing only on their own printed letterheads. There is no restriction on anyone forming a political party and we have no mechanism to refuse the registration as long as the basic requisites are fulfilled and the prescribed fee is paid, Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh A.K. Bishnoi told IANS. Unless a new law is brought in to restrict it, this will continue, he added. The administration is fully aware that more often than not individuals or groups float political parties only to serve their commercial objectives. An official of the state election machinery cited the example of what was called the Berozgar Party floated by one Anil Rastogi, running a non-government organisation (NGO). The party got into disrepute because of some alleged financial irregularities and was renamed as Akhil Bhartiya Janata Sahara Party, the official said, adding it has never fielded a single candidate in the electoral fray. To name a few others, there were Sadhbhavna Party, Akhil Bhartiya Ashok Sena, Vidhayak Dal and Terai Kranti Dal. While some are purported to be running their show from hotel rooms, there were others being run from school buildings while yet others did not exist at all. But in all cases, signboards bearing their names can be seen displayed prominently. There were exceptions too. Like Lok Zimmedar Party (Public Accountability Party), floated by former bureaucrat Dharam Singh Rawat, who runs his party from his house. Rawat quit the elite Indian Administrative Service over a decade ago to initiate an anti-corruption campaign in the state. However, he could garner a support of more than 1,000 people. We mean business, so not many are willing to join us, says Rawat. Compiled by Chakradhar Hadke
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 10:01:27 +0000
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