Will the Raja Bhaiyas, the Shahabuddins and the DP Yadavs continue to plague our polity despite the SC's order, or will the ignominy of having to put down their criminal antecedents in black and white force them to quit politics, leaving it cleaner?

There's little reason for euphoria. Political analysts are certain that the clean up is not going to come about easily. But even if it were so, would things change drastically? "Not at all," says jurist Fali Nariman. What then is the fuss about? "Ask politicians. In my view, it's a storm in a tea cup." He explains: "Even if the SC's order is implemented - and it is highly implementable, except the clause regarding assets which might be difficult to ascertain - there's no stopping a candidate from stating, `I have 500 false cases registered against me. `Similarly, if a candidate is illiterate, he can state; I have no educational qualification but a brilliant record of social work.' The returning officer cannot disqualify a candidate for being illiterate or having criminal charges against him. It is unlikely that these will weigh against him even with the voters.

So what is the politician afraid of? "Being subjected to public scrutiny," declared Rajindar Sachar; former chief justice of Delhi High court. "Even a government servant has to furnish such information before getting a job. It is unfair that the voter is being denied the right to information about a person who is to represent him in the legislature," laments justice Sachar. Not that it would make a difference. Observers feel voters know everything from the number of kothis, to the number of concubines a candidate has. If any detail gets left out the opponent makes sure it becomes public domain. So it's not the lack of information, but the lack of choice that the voter really suffers from.

Are we doomed to continue like this? "The real corrective," says political commentator, Mahesh Rangarajan, "would require a social upheaval. Unless political corruption become the subject of public revulsion, the political firmament is unlikely to change."