This Article is From Apr 15, 2009

The independent right to contest

The independent right to contest
New Delhi:

In an election where there are several high profile independents, the Prime Minister's statement that they're just spoilers has touched a nerve.

"I appeal to the population of this enlightened city to be careful not to encourage independents. They cannot win. They are spoilers," the Prime Minister said in Mumbai.

The statement, many say, was uncalled for.

Says Captain Gopinath, an independent candidate from Bangalore south: "The fact that the Prime Minister of the country is saying this means that he is insecure."

Meera Sanyal, independent candidate from Mumbai south, says: "Those who think they are the main candidates are making a mistake. There is a great disillusionment in the political process. I don't think they are the main candidates. I think I am the main candidate."

This election is seeing several high profile independents, but the odds are stacked up against them. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, only 5 of the 2385 independents who contested were elected.

Which makes the Prime Minister's statement all the more puzzling.

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