Selma should realize that education is not a criteria for any Indian to be elected to the assembly or parliament.. As long as a MP or MLA is not convicted of any crime, the person can continue to hold his noble seat. Poolan Devi, the Bandit Queen, got elected to parliament. Can there be any better example than this notorious gangster? Cases against some of the MLAs and ministers have remained in legal limbo, mostly in the Appeals Court. Thereby, these alleged criminals continue to serve in their positions. As a journalist, Fred should himself undertake the onerous task of analyzing the list. Underestimating their assets or hiding bank accounts is the name of the game when candidates file their nominations for electoral office. Does the election office has the resources, such as manpower, to investigate the candidates' disclosures? If the Enforcement Directorate or the Income-Tax Department is really serious of unearthing details on each of the candidates they could launch an investigation. I am not sure if these agencies need a court order or a police complaint. Maybe some like Aires could file a PIL against all the MLAs. A newspaper report in 2009 claimed that 24 per cent of Indian MPs have criminal charges against them. Besides our own ex-Chief Minister Churchill Alemao, the former Bihar CM and former Railways Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav has serious criminal charges against him. The only way in keeping our Goan MLAs and ministers out of office is to deny them electoral success. As past records show, it hasn't happened. If some of the notorious MLAs lose their seats in the next election it would be a miracle. Yes Fred, potshots don't count, votes do. And cyberspace is one medium where you can take potshots or shoot arrows at those who are in public offices. Haven't you taken potshots at these MLAs and ministers in your editorial pieces?
Eugene Correia
