Code on criminalisation of politics needed: Milind Deora

Terming criminalisation of politics as a "grey area", Congress nominee from Mumbai South Milind Deora today said political parties should sit together to arrive at a consensus to form a "minimum code" that would clearly spell out who could and could not contest polls.

Terming criminalisation of politics as a "grey area", Congress nominee from Mumbai South Milind Deora on Thursday said political parties should sit together to arrive at a consensus to form a "minimum code" that would clearly spell out who could and could not contest polls.

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"One person might not see someone else as a criminal, while another might. We need to identify which cases warrant a disqualification and which cases don't. I think there is a need for all parties to sit together and come up with a code that clearly spells this out," Deora told PTI.

Unless parties arrive at a consensus on the issue, there would be people with criminal records in electoral fray because the legal argument is that until someone is convicted, he could not be barred from contesting, he said.

"Criminalisation of politics and corruption have always been poll issues," 32-year old Deora, seeking his second consecutive term in the Lok Sabha, said.

Deora faces five-time MP Mohan Rawale of Shiv Sena and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Bala Nandgaonkar. Banker Meera Sanyal is contesting as an Independent. Voting is scheduled for April 30.

Asked about Arun Gawli, an MLA with a criminal record who has expressed his support for him, Deora said there was one candidate with a serious criminal record and another with less severe charges contesting against him. "Where do you draw the line?" he asked.