New Delhi: If you thought politics was the preserve of the corrupt or the criminal, think again. The 15th Lok Sabha polls boast of a new breed of candidates who are professionals, well-educated and motivated people the middle class can identify with. Bankers, doctors and graduates of the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) among others are in the fray this time.
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"For many years we have created a myth that all politicians are criminal and corrupt, but in the meantime Indian democracy has also emerged stronger. Educated and professional people have finally decided to plunge into politics," Imtiyaz Ahmad, an eminent historian from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) here, said.
Ahmad feels the participation of professionals as independent candidates or as those who float their own party is an expression of dissatisfaction with tried and tested politicians. Rajendra Thakar, who contested from North Mumbai on a Professionals Party of India ticket, is one of them.
Image: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holds a sword presented to him by Congress candidate from Kurukshetra Lok Sabha seat, Naveen Jindal, at an election rally in Pehowa. (Copyright PTI. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited.)
Text: IANS
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