The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Sunday said a total of 18 per cent of the candidates in fray for the November 3 by-elections in 28 Assembly seats in Madhya Pradesh have criminal cases pending against them, with 11 percent declaring cases of very serious nature.
The ADR has analysed poll affidavits of 355 candidates revealed that 63 had declared pending criminal cases, with the Congress leading the list in this category. According to the ADR report, when it comes to candidates with serious criminal cases, the BJP tops the list followed by SP.
Among the major parties, 14 (50%) out of 28 Congress candidates, 12 (43%) out of 28 BJP candidates, 8 (29%) out of 28 candidates from Bahujan Samaj Party, 4 (29%) out of 14 Samajwadi party candidates and 16 (9%) out of 178 Independent nominees — whose affidavits were analysed — declared the pending criminal cases.
Those who have declared serious criminal cases are 6 (21%) of the 28 Congress candidates whose affidavits were analysed, 8 (29%) out of 28 BJP candidates, 3 (11%) out of 28 BSP candidates, 4 (29%) out of 14 SP candidates and 13 (7%) out of 178 Independents, ADR said.
Meanwhile, only one candidate declared a pending murder case, and seven the attempt to murder cases against themselves.
Ten of the 28 constituencies are in ‘red alert’ category, meaning there are 3 three or more candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves. All major parties have given tickets to 25% to 50% of their candidates with pending criminal cases, the ADR said.
“Out of the 355 candidates, 80 or 23 per cent are crorepatis. Among the major parties 23 or 82 percent out of 28 candidates analysed from BJP, 22 or 79 per cent out of 28 candidates analysed from Congress, 13 or 46 per cent out of 28 candidates analysed from BSP, 2 or 14 per cent out of 14 candidates analysed from SP and 14 or 8 per cent out of 178 Independent candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore,” it said. By-elections are being held in 28 seats in Madhya Pradesh on November 3. Most of these 28 seats fell vacant when rebel Congress members resigned from the party and the assembly to join the BJP.