Ordinance brings relief to Bihar's tainted law-makers

Many of Bihar's MPs facing criminal charges are relaxed, and their supporters upbeat, after the union cabinet approved an ordinance to negate a Supreme Court order disqualifying members of parliament and legislatures convicted in criminal cases.

Legislators Lalu Prasad, Jagdish Sharma, Purnmasi Ram, Om Prakash, Rama Devi, Mahabali Singh are among those who felt relieved with the cabinet approval of the ordinance.

"It is a big relief to Laluji as a special court in Ranchi, Jharkhand, is about to pronounce on Sep 30 conviction in the multi-crore fodder scam. He is likely to be convicted in the case," a Rashtriya Janata Dal worker close to Lalu Prasad said here Friday.

Lalu Prasad, who is the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief, appeared worried till early Tuesday, hours before the union cabinet cleared the ordinance allowing MPs and legislators to retain their membership of the house despite being convicted.

"We will organise a celebration after court's verdict in fodder scam on September 30," said Akhilesh Yadav, an RJD worker.

"A relief to Laluji is a god sent mercy to the party, which is facing tough time for last eight years after it was ousted from the power in Bihar," an RJD leader said.

According to official records, of the 40 members of parliament from Bihar, a dozen are facing criminal charges including for murder, intimidation, assault, financial fraud and criminal conspiracy.

Janata Dal-United MP Jagdish Sharma is an accused in the fodder scam, and BJP MP Rama Devi is facing serious criminal charges.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar criticised the Congress-led central government for bringing the ordinance to protect convicted lawmakers from immediate disqualification.

A Left-leaning activisit, Anish Ankur said the new ordinance has come as a blessing in disguise for some criminal-turned-politicians who are aspirants to contest the Lok Sabha polls in 2014.

"Now, they will use money and muscle power to contest next polls," he said.

"In Bihar, all parties except the Left have MPs and MLAs who are tainted. Latest ordinance will certainly prove boon for them. But people are unhappy over it," social activist Anish Ankur said.

More than 60 of the 243 members of Bihar assembly also are facing major criminal charges.

Since Chief Minister Nitish Kumar came to power in November 2005, nearly 74,000 criminals, including politicians and lawmakers, have been convicted and punished for various crimes in Bihar.

The criminal-turned-politicians, locally known as "bahubali", who have been convicted and behind bars are former MPs Mohammad Shahabuddin, Anand Mohan, Pappu Yadav, who was recently acquitted by the Patna High Court in CPI(M) leader Ajit Sarkar murder case, and former MLAs Munna Shukhla and Sunil Pandey.