In the fourth phase, the richest candidate is Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), having total assets worth more than ₹5,705 crore.

As many as 476 of the 1,710 candidates -- around 28% -- in the fray for the fourth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections have declared their assets worth over ₹1 crore.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Election Watch have conducted an analysis based on the self-sworn affidavits of 1,710 of the 1,717 candidates contesting in the fourth phase slated for May 13.

The report states that 476 candidates are 'crorepatis', with assets exceeding ₹1 crore, while 24 candidates have declared zero assets.

Among these, the maximum are Independent candidates (122), followed by the BJP (65), Congress (56), BSP (27), YSRCP (24) and 17 candidates each of BRS and TDP.

In the fourth phase, the richest candidate is Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), having total assets worth more than ₹5,705 crore. He is closely followed by BJP candidate from Chevella, Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, who has declared total assets worth over ₹4,568 crore.

Besides this, 360 candidates (21%) have declared criminal cases against them.

Of the 360 candidates, 17 were convicted, 11 have declared cases related to murder, 30 are facing charges of attempted murder and 50 candidates have criminal cases related to crimes against women, with five candidates facing charges of rape, the ADR data showed.

The data also shed light on the distribution of candidates with criminal backgrounds among all the major political parties.

Among the candidates who have declared criminal cases are three from AIMIM, two from Shiv Sena, 10 from BRS, 35 from Congress, 40 from the BJP, nine from TDP, two from BJD, two from RJD, two from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), 12 from YSRCP, three from TMC and seven from Samajwadi Party.

In the fourth phase, 96 parliamentary constituencies spread over 10 states and Union Territories will go to polls on May 13. Earlier, voting for the first three phases was conducted on April 19, April 26 and May 7, respectively.

After May 13, voting will be held on May 20, and May 25 and conclude with the final phase on June 1. The counting of votes will be done on June 4.