‘Hitler’ and ‘Frankenstein’ Fight it Out in Indian Election

“Hitler” and Frankenstein” are two of 345 candidates running for state assembly seats in the predominantly Christian state of Meghalaya in India, but “Bomber” and Hilarious” may give them a good run for the money.

Located in India’s northeast, the tribal state has “laugh clubs,” and people like to have fun giving their children strange names, Al Jazeera reported.

Incumbent “Adolf lu Hitler R Marak” is running in the Bajengdoba constituency” in next week’s voting, while Frankenstein Momin is contesting a seat in Mendhipathar.

Previous members of the state assembly have included “Churchill,” Roosevelt” and “Chamberlain.” Other candidates for next week’s elections include two people with the first name “Hilarious,” as well as “Moonlight” and “Bomber.”

"I don’t think there is any detailed explanation for these funny names. But the practice of giving funny names to children have been around for quite some time," Joshua Thomas, regional director of the Indian Council of Social Science Research in Meghalaya capital Shillong, told Al Jazeera.

"My wife is a doctor and she has found parents naming children Anesthesia just because that was needed during the delivery," he added.

As far as the Jewish Press knows, Netanyahu, Lapid, Obama and Clinton are not candidates – yet.

Incidentally, the elections will take place on Saturday – the day before Purim, and no, this is not a Purim spoof.