The BJP loves to introduce itself as the Party with a Difference. A political reformer. A moral torchbearer. The lone crusader slaying the dragons of corruption and criminalization in Indian politics.
And then reality arrives — in Bihar.
As revealed on Republic TV — yes, from Arnab Goswami himself, the alleged unofficial PR manager of the BJP — the party has fielded 65 candidates with criminal cases in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. Sixty-five! That’s not a difference — that’s an enterprise.
Of course, government defenders immediately rush in with the classic Indian legal umbrella:
“They are only accused, not convicted.”
Ah yes, the holy presumption of innocence — used not to protect citizens, but to polish political resumes. By this logic, every gangster in jail is merely a misunderstood Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel awaiting acquittal.
Yet, every day from the rally stage, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah command Biharis to choose between their “good governance” and the “Jungle Raj” of the RJD. Oh, the irony — promising to end Jungle Raj while releasing a new species into the wild.
And here’s where the hypocrisy becomes Olympic-level.
Back in the UPA era, the Manmohan Singh government actually brought an ordinance to ban criminals from contesting elections — a real attempt to clean politics.
Who destroyed it?
Not the opposition.
Not activists.
But Rahul Gandhi — who stormed into a press meet, grabbed the ordinance copy, and dramatically tore it to pieces, declaring it deserves the “dustbin.”
The Prime Minister of India — Dr. Singh — was publicly humiliated by his own party’s crown prince. He swallowed the insult, just to retain his chair. A grim symbol of Congress’s internal decay.
Back then, BJP mocked this circus. They declared themselves above such moral bankruptcy.
Well, here’s the million-rupee question:
– If BJP truly believes in cleansing politics…
- If Rahul Gandhi was wrong to sabotage that reform…
- If NDA loves passing laws with nationalistic chest-thumping…
Why hasn’t the Modi government reintroduced the same ban?
After all, this is the same government that:
- Revoked Article 370 and 35A
- Criminalized Triple Talaq
- Passed laws by midnight if required
So, what stops them from passing a law banning criminals from contesting elections?
Answer: Winnability. Criminals win elections. And parties want winners — halos optional.
While we’re at it — Nitish Kumar, once called Sushasan Babu, has evolved into Paltu Ram Extraordinaire. His ideology is simple:
- Whichever side guarantees my Chief Minister’s chair is the ideologically sacred side.
- Clean personal record? Yes.
- Clean political conscience? To be located.
Meanwhile, the RJD continues its dynasty of conviction. Lalu Prasad Yadav in jail. His family on bail. Pappu Yadav contesting from prison — remote campaigning 2.0.
Bihar’s politics is a marketplace of moral discounts — where ethics are negotiable and criminal cases are just credentials.
The BJP’s message to India is clear:
Criminalization of politics is bad… when others do it.
But once an accused joins the BJP, they instantly become “Social Workers Wrongly Accused.”
“Party with a Difference,” did you say?
Yes. The difference is better PR.
If BJP is serious about its crusade…
If Modi-Shah speeches are more than sound engineering…
Then bring the law.
Reintroduce the ordinance Rahul tore apart.
Empower the Election Commission beyond polite advisory notes.
Ban criminals from Parliament and Assemblies.
Not “accused until proven guilty” criminals —
but those with serious cases at least.
If BJP can reshape Kashmir…
If the BJP can alter marital laws in the Muslim community…
If the BJP can pass dozens of legislation with surgical speed…
Then surely, saving democracy from goons should rank somewhere above stadium renaming?
Until such a law is passed, the BJP cannot brag about moral superiority. Because replacing Jungle Raj doesn’t mean electing a new type of predator.
Right now, the BJP isn’t eradicating the disease. It’s simply rebranding it in saffron.
