EC should shut shop in Bihar: Prakash Jha

NEW DELHI: "People are crying for a change, for a life, but the custodians of democracy have chosen to close their eyes. The election commission should shut its shop in Bihar if it can not prevent democracy from being murdered."
The statement comes from the Lok Sabha candidate from Bettiah, Prakash Jha who decided to take his BJP and RJD rivals head on.
Known for making films on socially relevant issues, Jha had shot into fame with Hip Hip Hurray. His last film Gangajal, based on the the Bhagalpur blindings, had created quite a flutter across the nation, especially in Bihar.
The independent candidate from Bettiah, says the past one month has been not only an eye opener but also a very emotional experience for him. Jha was in Delhi on Friday to file a complaint with the EC against the breaches of electoral conduct on his home turf.
"We keep saying good people don''t get into politics. I wanted to do more than just talk so I chose to put up a fight. Ground realities in the state, are, however, shocking. Lawlessness reigns supreme. The democratic process has completely collapsed," says Jha.
The filmaker appears to have an unending list of incidents to serve as a case in point. He says the images of armed goons, and indifferent offici als are hard to forget. Jha goes on to add that polling day itself perhaps witnessed democracy getting strangulated.
"The police were conspicuous by their absence and reports of booth capturing started coming in right from 7.30 am. Election Commission officials were, however, totally inaccessible."