A total of 130 candidates (22 per cent) out 583 in the fray for the first phase of Bihar elections on October 12 have declared serious criminal cases, including those related to murder, attempt to murder, communal disharmony, kidnapping, crimes against women, etc.
“Of all the 583 candidates, 174 (30 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves,” says a release by Bihar Election Watch and Association of Democratic Reforms, who analysed their self-sworn affidavits.
Among parties, 10 out of 27 candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, followed by seven out of 25 candidates from the Communist Party of India (CPI), nine out out of 24 candidates fielded by Janata Dal (United) (JD-U) and six out of 17 candidates of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Also, of the total 583 candidates, 146 (25 per cent) are crorepatis, with 18 out of 27 fielded by the BJP, 19 out of 24 candidates from JD(U), 11 out of 17 candidates from RJD and 42 out of 192 Independent candidates declaring assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, said the release .
The average assets per candidate in the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections is Rs 1.44 crore, with the 27 BJP candidates declaring average assets of Rs 2.15 crore, 24 JD(U) candidates declaring average assets of Rs 4.63 crore, eight Congress candidates having average assets worth Rs 8 crore, while 17 RJD candidates have average assets worth of Rs 4.08 crore.