Traitor in Elections

Shouldn't there be a law that traitors are not allowed to run for public office? I certainly think so. We do have laws that criminals are not allowed to run, of course most criminals manage to find their way around that law, so I guess then why not traitors. Former Indian Cricket Captain Mohammed Azharuddin is going to be running on a Congress ticket from Moradabad. This is a man who had sold out India time and time again and he is running to be part of our Government. Not only is he running but he is also going to be traveling the country to ask for votes for his party. This is like Benedict Arnold running for President of the United States.

Yes yes, I know, there are plenty of questionable characters already in the political world who have been involved in corruption, inciting violence and sometimes even alleged murders. Parties however see a guaranteed seat victory and so overlook these crimes and field these candidates who eventually do get elected. Let me be clear here (before the comments begin), I am not justifying this, I think it is wrong and should not be allowed. But that can be the topic of another post, this one is about Azhar.

Here is a man who besides being a fine cricketer and a good captain offered his country on a silver platter to the highest bidder and was banned from the game of cricket for match fixing. Azhar was alright with India losing a match as long as he made money from it. Not only was he alright with it but he also roped in others (Ajay Jadeja, Nayan Mongia, Physio Therapist Ali Irani, Hansie Cronje).  If any of you remember the Cricket match fixing scandal which broke in 2000 you may recall the web of intricacies that Azhar was part of. He was the mastermind behind the darkest period of the great sport. He sold out his country, is a disgrace to the sport and the nation. 

Today of course he wants to be part of our Government. The audacity of the man is unbelievable. 

In politics around the world political parties choose celebrities to run because they feel they will get votes on their star power. In America celebrities are major political contributors, travel with and even hold rock concerts for the candidates they support. But we don't see American politicians campaigning with Pete Rose, a legend in baseball who was banned from the Hall of Fame because he gambled on baseball games. Or see stars like OJ Simpson speaking at political fund raisers and we definitely never see a desh drohi campaigning for them. There are enough celebrities and  stars out there who will campaign for and even run for a political party, why then choose a traitor?

Frankly, I hope Azhar not only loses but loses badly and that we never here about him again.

Photo Credit: (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)