Indian politician charged after donkey ride to file papers

NEW DELHIL: Indian police charged a would-be election candidate with animal cruelty Wednesday after he rode a donkey to file his application for the national ballot.

Mani Bhushan Sharma, a perennial long-shot candidate, filed his nomination papers on Monday followed by a short donkey ride outside the local election office in Jehanabad town, eastern Bihar state.

"We have filed a case under prevention of cruelty to animals against the politician," Shree Maneesh, Jehanabad police chief, told AFP. Maneesh did not elaborate on the exact charges against Sharma, and donkey and mules rides are legal and common in India.

Convictions under the animal cruelty law -- that mostly deal with physical harm, violence or abandonment of animals -- can result in fines or prison terms up to seven years. Sharma defended his actions, saying it was symbolic to show the plight of common people that are taken for a ride by politicians.

"Common people are dedicated towards building a better society and nation like donkeys (and) unlike politicians who only work for themselves. We are beautiful and hard working, like donkeys," he told AFP. Sharma has unsuccessfully contested four elections in the past, and his application on Monday was rejected due to discrepancies in his documents.