Click to play videoRanchi: Nine Naxal leaders are contesting on tickets of various political parties including Shibu Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Lalu Prasad's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in the ongoing Jharkhand Assembly elections.
But political parties see nothing wrong in having Naxals leaders as their candidates.
"There is nothing wrong in giving Naxal leaders tickets to fight polls," says JMM chief Shibu Soren.
Soren is backed by Lalu Prasad.
"Shibu Soren has done no wrong by putting up Naxals as candidates," says Lalu.
The list of Naxals turned politicians is long. JMM has given tickets to most of them like Satish Kumar, Mahish Charan, Polush S and Sufaljee.
Former Maoist Central Committee member Madanjee is contesting from Vishrampur, while Ranjan Yadav, who is accused in more than a dozen massacres, is contesting from Panki on an RJD ticket.
"My organisation is against polls but I feel that people can also be served by winning elections," says Yadav.
Many of the Naxal leaders have had dreaded pasts and have been accused of massacres, bomb blasts and attacks on police posts.
Many are still behind bars.
But critics allege their change of heart is mere opportunism. In a small state like Jharkhand, a single MLA can make or break a government.
"Lack of political activists has led to this situation. Political parties are just using Naxal leaders," says a Jharkhand senior journalist Harivanshjee.
Experiment of Naxals fighting elections has succeeded in Jharkhand once when a former Naxal leader Kameshwar Baitha, won the Lok Sabha election on JMM ticket and is now an honourable MP.
Now is the time for them to ensure presence in Jharkhand Assembly as well and have a direct say in forming the next government in Ranchi.
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