The number of crorepati candidates contesting the lok Sabha elections 2014 from the five parliamentary constituencies in Uttarakhand has doubled compared to the 2009 parliamentary elections. Figures released by the Uttarakhand Election Watch (UEW) reveal that whereas in the 2009 parliamentary polls 12 out of 76 (16 per cent) contesting candidates were crorepatis, this time 24 out of 74 contesting candidates (32 per cent) are crorepatis.
Addressing the media, UEW coordinator BP Maithani spoke of the work done by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) for electoral reforms. Stressing on the need for keeping criminal elements out of the Parliament, he said that during public interaction, the UEW members that voters in some areas lack confidence and clarity about the power of their vote and have a fatalist mentality. He informed, “Of the 74 contesting candidates this time, five (seven percent) have serious criminal cases against them including criminal intimidation, voluntarily causing grievous hurt etc. BSP candidate from Haridwar, Haji Mohammed Islam has declared a charge related to crime against women (IPC section 498-A).
The Congress, BJP and BSP have fielded one out of five candidates each with a criminal record, the sole candidates of Akhil Bharatiya Muslim league (Secular) and Poorvanchal Rashtriya Congress have criminal cases against them.” When it comes to the crorepati candidates contesting, these include all the five Congress candidates, three out of five BSP and BJP candidates and also two of the five AAP candidates- who have all declared assets worth over Rsone crore.
Seven candidates have declared more than Rs10 crore worth of assets, the top three being BJP candidate from Tehri Mala Rajya laxmi Shah with assets worth Rs166 crore followed by Independent candidate from Haridwar, Jai Singh with Rs29 crore worth of assets and RlD candidate from Tehri, Japinder Singh with Rs29 crore worth of assets. When it comes to educational qualification of the candidates, 17 out of 74 are XIIth pass, 16 are graduate, 14 are post graduate, 11 are graduate professional, four are doctorate and four are literate while two are illiterate among others.
Stating that parliament mirrors society, the UEW patron Dr S Farooq stressed that the nation does not need criminals to facilitate development. Ravi Chopra of ADR stressed on the importance of None of The Above (NOTA) option which has been provided on EVMs this time. Those wanting to learn more about the candidates contesting from their constituencies can get more information from www.myneta.info, www.adrindia.org or by giving a missed call to 022 335 984 65, he informed. All information about the contesting candidates was taken from their affidavits submitted during nomination.
