New Delhi: According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), BJP occupies the first and Congress the second position in giving tickets to candidates with a criminal background in the forthcoming Karnataka assembly elections. ADR is a non-governmental organisation which works in the area of electoral and political reforms.
The ADR released the report after analysing the affidavits filed by 2,560 candidates. The analysis of affidavits has revealed that 391 candidates have criminal cases registered against them, stated Outlook.
“Among major parties, 83 (37%) out of 224 candidates from BJP, 59 (27%) out of 220 candidates analysed from Indian Nataional Congress, 41 (21%) out of 199 candidates analysed from Janata Dal (Secular) [JD(S)], five (20%) out of 25 candidates analysed from Janata Dal (United) [JD (U)], five (19%) out of 27 candidates analysed from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and 108 (10%) out of 1,090 independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits,” the report said.
“There are 254 (10%) candidates who have declared serious criminal cases registered against themselves, four candidates have declared case related to murder (Indian Penal Code Section 302) against themselves, and 25 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (Indian Penal Code Section-307) against themselves,” said the report, adding that “23 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women.”
Those constituencies which which have three or more candidates with declared criminal cases are considered Red Alert constituencies by the ADR. There are 56 (25%) red alert constituencies in the forthcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections, the report added. It also says that around 35% of the candidates who were analysed ((883 out of 2,560) are crorepati.
Among major parties, 208 (93%) out of 224 candidates from BJP, 207 (94%) out of 220 candidates analysed from Indian National Congress, 154 (77%) out of 199 candidates analysed from JD(S), 13 (52%) out of 25 candidates analysed from JD(U), nine (33%) out of 27 candidates analysed from AAP and 199 (18%) out of 1,090 independent candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs one crore.
The average assets per candidate contesting in the Karnataka elections is Rs 7.54 crore. The average assets per candidate for 224 BJP candidates is Rs 17.86 crore, 220 Indian National Congress candidates have average assets of Rs 38.75 crore, 199 JD(S) candidates analysed have average assets worth Rs 20.91 crore, and 1,090 independent candidates have average assets of Rs. 1.58 crore.
Kolar district tops the ‘Red Alert’ list of constituencies, with six candidates facing criminal charges.
As regards educational qualifications, a report in the Hindu said that as many as 1,351 candidates have, in their affidavits, declared their educational qualification to be between Class V pass and Class XII pass.