A total of 170 or 28% of the candidates contesting for the seventh phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections are facing criminal charges, while 35 seats, i.e. 65%, are ‘red alert’ – where three or more contesting leaders have filed complaints against themselves. Criminal cases have been declared. According to a new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
“Out of 607 candidates analyzed, 170 (28%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. 131 (22%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves,” the report said.
Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and ADR have analyzed the self-affidavits of 607 candidates out of 613, who are contesting in the seventh and final phase of UP elections in 54 constituencies. Six candidates were not analyzed as their affidavits were either badly scanned or the complete affidavits were not uploaded on the website of the Election Commission. The report said 35 out of 54 constituencies are ‘red alert’.
Among major parties, SP has 26 out of 45 candidates (58%), BJP has 26 (55%) out of 47 candidates, BSP has 20 (38%), 20 out of 54 candidates (37%) . Eight (17%) out of 47 candidates from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Besides, 20 from SP, 19 from BJP, 13 from BSP, 12 from Congress and seven from AAP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, the report said.
At least 11 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women, of which two have declared cases related to rape (Section 376 of Indian Penal Code). Seven candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section 302) against them while 25 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section 307).
Out of 607 candidates, 217 (36%) are crorepatis, while the average assets per candidate is Rs 2.55 crore.
“The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates,” the report said.
Among the major parties, BJP’s 40 (85%), SP’s 37 (82%), BSP’s 41 (79%), Congress 22 (41%) and AAP’s 15 (32%) candidates have declared more assets. More than Rs 1 crore.
The average value of assets per candidate for the 47 BJP candidates analyzed is Rs. 6.48 crores while for 52 BSP candidates it is Rs 6.16 crores. The 45 candidates of SP have an average assets of Rs 5.57 crore and 54 candidates of Congress have an average assets of Rs 1.26 crore. The average assets of 47 AAP candidates is Rs 1.01 crore.
The report further states that 75 (12%) women candidates are contesting in the seventh phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on March 7.
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