Second phase of Lok Sabha polls sees 250 candidates with criminal cases: report
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Representational.
New Delhi: In the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, 250 out of 1,192 candidates have criminal cases against them, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Election Watch.
This analysis was based on self-sworn affidavits of 1,192 candidates out of the 1,198 contesting in this phase.
Of the 250 candidates with criminal cases, 167 face serious criminal charges.
The analysis further revealed that three candidates are charged with murder, while 24 are implicated in attempt to murder cases. Additionally, 25 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women, with one facing rape charges under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Furthermore, 21 candidates are associated with hate speech cases.
The 'red alert' constituencies, where three or more candidates have declared criminal cases, make up 52% of the 87 seats scheduled for the second phase.
The major political parties also show candidates with criminal backgrounds. Among the BJP's 69 candidates, 31 have criminal cases, while 35 out of 68 Congress candidates have similar records. All five candidates from the CPI and four from the SP face criminal charges. The Shiv Sena and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) each have two candidates with criminal cases, and the JD(U) has two out of five candidates with such backgrounds.
In addition to the criminal background data, the ADR's analysis reveals disparities in wealth among candidates.
About 33% of candidates in this phase are "crorepatis", with an average asset value of ₹ 5.17 crores per candidate. The ADR found significant variations in the average assets of candidates across different parties.
The analysis stated, "Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 68 INC candidates is ₹ 39.70 crores, 69 BJP candidates is ₹ 24.68 crores, four SP candidates have average assets of ₹ 17.34 crores, four Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) candidates have average assets worth ₹ 12.81 crores, three Shiv Sena candidates have average assets worth ₹ 7.54 crores."
It further added, "Four AITC candidates have average assets worth ₹ 4.16 crores, five JD(U) candidates have average assets worth ₹ 3.31 crores, 18 CPI(M) candidates have average assets worth ₹ 2.29 crores and five CPI candidates have average assets of ₹ 78.44 lakhs."
Six candidates declared zero assets, and 47 did not disclose their PAN details.
The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases, starting on April 19, with the counting of votes set for June 4. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term. Subsequent voting phases are scheduled for April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1.
