17 pc criminals, 28 pc crorepatis in fourth phase of elections in UP

17 February, Lucknow

Altogether, 17 per cent of candidates have criminal cases against them, who are contesting the fourth phase of elections in Uttar Pradesh, to be held on February 23. Similarly, 28 per cent of candidates in the fourth phase are crorepatis.

The disclosure was made here today by Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) after analysing the self-sworn affidavits of all 680 candidates from 98 political parties, including six national parties, five state parties, 87 unrecognised parties and 200 independent candidates, who are contesting in the fourth phase at 53 Assembly seats.

According to this report, out of 680 candidates analysed, 116 or 17 per cent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. A total 95 or 14 per cent candidates have declared serious criminal cases, including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and crimes against women.

Candidates with cases related to murder are seven, related to attempt to murder are 18, nominees with cases related to crimes against women are six, while 10 candidates have declared cases related to kidnapping for ransom. Of the total criminal background, 19 or 40 per cent candidates out of 48 from BJP, 12 or 23 per cent out of 53 candidates from BSP, nine or 23 per cent out of 39 candidates from RLD, 13 or 39 per cent out of 33 nominees from SP, eight or 32 per cent out of 25 candidates from INC, and 24 or 12 per cent out of 200 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

There are 21 constituencies in the fourth phase of elections, having three or more candidates with declared criminal cases.