• You mean, among those who win?

Yes.

• And you feel helpless?

Absolutely.

• And you speak for your colleagues as well?

Absolutely. The entire commission recommended that people with criminal records must be kept out.

• And the entire political class ignored it?

Well, they have considered it. They have discussed it. I am told it didn't find favour with the parliamentary forum in which it was discussed.

• But what does the political class tell you then? Because this is what is bothering Indian citizens, particularly young voters, because they see in the Hindi heartland those who are known as baahubalis. And the rest of India has seen baahubalis in popular culture -- in films like Omkara. It's all about running elections, capturing booths. This is leading to cynicism.

I was not in the meetings, so this is only hearsay, and from what I read in newspapers. What I heard was that politicians feel cases can be filed against them and magistrates can be made to issue chargesheets against them, under pressure. So this is not sufficient guarantee that politicians who are out to fight elections could not be victimised. I still feel that within the framework of what we suggested, a solution can be found.

• And there is room for negotiations?

This can be discussed, yes. And fine-tuned. The goal of keeping criminal elements out can still be achieved. And it should be done.

... contd.