ADR has found that twenty-three per cent of the 2,290 candidates standing in the Telangana assembly elections have declared criminal cases against them.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has found that twenty-three per cent of the 2,290 candidates standing in the Telangana Assembly elections have declared criminal cases against them. The figure stands over 70 per cent for candidates from both Congress and BJP.
Among the major parties, 85 (72 per cent) out of 118 candidates analysed from Congress have criminal cases, 79 (71 per cent) out of 111 candidates analysed from BJP, 57 (48 per cent) out of 119 candidates analysed from BRS, and 40 (37 per cent) out of 107 candidates analysed from BSP have declared criminal cases against them in their affidavits submitted to the election commission.
The ADR report further revealed that 60 (51 per cent) out of 118 candidates analysed from the Congress and 54 (49 per cent) out of 111 candidates analysed from BJP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. The ruling BRS has the best figures in this regard, as 34 (29 per cent) out of 119 candidates are reported to have serious criminal cases.
Telangana will undergo Assembly polls on November 30, with counting of votes on December 3. The ruling BRS, Congress and BJP are the main contestants in the State.
One-fourth of candidates have assets of more than Rs 1 crore
The report also stated that one-fourth of the candidates have declared assets worth more than ₹ one crore. An overwhelming 96 per cent of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidates and 94 per cent of Congress candidates are crorepatis, with the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen and the BJP following closely behind at 89 per cent and 84 per cent, respectively.
On average, candidates in the election have declared assets worth ₹4.71 crore. Meanwhile, 41.48% of candidates have assets worth less than ten lakhs. However, in the 2018 Telangana Assembly Elections, the average assets per candidate for 1777 candidates was ₹3.29 crores.