32% candidates in Phase-I face criminal charges: ADR report

Patna: A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch (BEW) has revealed disturbing levels of criminal and financial influence among candidates contesting in the first phase of the Bihar assembly elections.

The two non-profit organisations, known for their work on electoral and political reforms, analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1,303 out of 1,314 candidates contesting the 121 assembly seats going to polls on Nov 6.According to the report, 423 candidates (32%) have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 354 (27%) face serious criminal charges. Of these, 33 candidates are accused in cases of murder, and 86 face charges of attempt to murder.Left parties top the list of those fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds with CPI and CPI(M) fielding 100%, and CPI(ML) fielding 93% such candidates. Among the major parties, RJD has 76%, followed by BJP and Congress with 65% each, LJP (Ram Vilas) with 54%, JD(U) with 39%, and AAP with 27% candidates facing criminal charges.Notably, Jan Suraaj, contesting its first election while promising electoral reforms, is not far behind with 44% (50 out of 114) of its candidates having declared criminal cases.

The report also highlights the growing influence of wealth in the electoral process. Of the 1,303 candidates analysed, 519 (40%) are crorepatis. Among major parties, RJD has the highest share of crorepatis at 97%, followed by BJP (92%), JD(U) (91%), Congress (78%), LJP (Ram Vilas) (77%), Jan Suraaj (71%), CPI(M) (67%), and CPI (60%), while CPI(ML) has the lowest at 14%.Among major parties, the report said the average assets per candidate for 114 Jan Suraaj candidates analysed is Rs 5.72 crore, while 89 BSP candidates have Rs 1.77 crore on average. The 70 RJD candidates declared average assets of Rs 10.37 crore, followed by 57 JD(U) candidates with Rs 8.75 crore, and 48 BJP candidates with Rs 11.30 crore. Among others, 44 AAP candidates reported Rs 1.57 crore, 23 Congress candidates Rs 5.85 crore, 14 CPI-ML candidates Rs 81.57 lakh, 13 LJP (Ram Vilas) candidates Rs 10.88 crore, 5 CPI candidates Rs 4.83 crore and 3 CPI(M) candidates Rs 1.73 crore, the report added.