ADR: 191 BJP, 143 Congress LS candidates face criminal cases.
According to the ADR report, the criminal cases faced by the candidates from both parties include charges related to serious offenses such as murder, attempted murder, crimes against women, and hate speech. This revelation underscores the prevalence of criminalization within India’s political sphere and raises concerns about the integrity of electoral processes. The presence of candidates facing such serious charges highlights the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the selection and nomination processes of political parties.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) recently released a report based on data compiled from affidavits on the Election Commission’s website, revealing significant insights into the prevalence of criminal cases among candidates contesting in the upcoming elections. According to the report, a notable portion of candidates across various political parties have self-declared criminal cases against them, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.
Among the major political parties, the Congress stands out with 143 out of its 327 candidates, accounting for 44 percent, declaring criminal cases against them. These cases range from serious offenses such as murder, attempted murder, crimes against women, and hate speech, highlighting the severity of the charges faced by some of the candidates.
The analysis provided by ADR presents a party-wise breakdown of candidates with declared criminal cases. In comparison, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 191 out of its total candidates, which is 43 percent, declaring criminal cases. While both parties have a significant number of candidates with criminal backgrounds, the data suggests a slightly higher proportion among Congress candidates.
The report also delves into the number of candidates facing serious criminal charges. Out of the total BJP candidates in the electoral fray, 130 have declared serious criminal cases against them. Similarly, for the Congress, 88 candidates, constituting 27 percent of its total candidates, have serious criminal charges against them.
Beyond the two major parties, the ADR report sheds light on the criminal background of candidates from other political entities. For instance, the Samajwadi Party (SP) has 71 candidates in the elections, with 40 of them declaring criminal cases. Among these, 30 candidates are named in serious crimes, indicating a concerning trend within the party.
Similarly, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) has 52 candidates contesting in the elections, with 33 of them declaring criminal cases. Of these, 18 candidates are facing serious charges, raising questions about the party’s candidate selection process and internal governance.
In the case of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), 48 candidates are in the electoral fray, with 20 of them declaring criminal cases against them. Among these, 12 candidates are facing serious charges, underscoring the need for greater scrutiny and transparency within the party’s candidate nomination process.
Overall, the ADR report provides valuable insights into the prevalence of criminal cases among candidates contesting in the upcoming elections. The data highlights the need for electoral reforms to address the issue of criminalization in politics and ensure that candidates with clean records are given the opportunity to represent the electorate effectively.
The findings of the report also underscore the importance of voters being aware of the backgrounds of candidates before casting their ballots. By making informed decisions at the polls, voters can contribute to the promotion of clean and transparent governance and hold political parties accountable for their candidate selection processes.
The state-wise analysis provided by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) offers valuable insights into the prevalence of candidates with criminal backgrounds across various regions of India. This data underscores the widespread nature of the issue and its impact on electoral dynamics in different states.
In Maharashtra, a significant number of candidates, specifically 266 out of 1,119 contesting candidates, have declared criminal cases against themselves. Of these, 183 candidates are facing serious charges, indicating a concerning trend within the state’s political landscape.
Similarly, in Tamil Nadu, 137 out of 945 candidates have criminal cases registered against them, with 83 candidates facing serious charges. This highlights the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in the selection of candidates by political parties in the state.
In Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most populous states, 213 out of 851 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. Among these, 179 candidates are facing serious offenses, raising questions about the effectiveness of law enforcement and the prevalence of criminal elements in politics.
The situation is similar in Telangana, where 104 out of 524 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In West Bengal, 112 out of 507 candidates have criminal cases registered against them, reflecting a concerning trend in the state’s political landscape.
In Bihar, 115 out of 496 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, indicating a significant proportion of candidates with questionable backgrounds vying for electoral positions.
In Jharkhand, 69 out of 242 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, while in Odisha, 52 out of 207 candidates have criminal cases registered against them. These numbers underscore the need for electoral reforms to address the issue of criminalization in politics and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.
Kerala, known for its relatively higher levels of political awareness and activism, also grapples with the issue of candidates with criminal backgrounds. Here, 67 out of 189 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the state’s political arena.
In Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, 69 out of 328 candidates and 88 out of 450 candidates, respectively, have declared criminal cases against themselves. These figures underscore the need for voters to carefully scrutinize the backgrounds of candidates before casting their ballots in the upcoming elections.
Even in the national capital, Delhi, the issue of candidates with criminal backgrounds persists. Here, 25 out of 162 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, according to the report. This highlights the pervasive nature of the problem and the importance of addressing it through comprehensive electoral reforms.
Overall, the state-wise analysis provided by the ADR report offers valuable insights into the prevalence of candidates with criminal backgrounds across different regions of India. This data underscores the need for concerted efforts to address the issue of criminalization in politics and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.