JAIPUR: In the Rajasthan assembly elections of 2018, the percentage of candidates facing criminal cases is higher than it was in 2013 polls, the Association for Democratic Reforms said in a report. The number of multimillionaire candidates has also shot this time. "Out of 2188 candidates analyzed, 320 (15%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2013 Rajasthan Assembly Elections, out of 2030 candidates analysed, 224(11%) had declared criminal cases against themselves," the election watchdog said.
195 (9%) have declared serious criminal cases. In 2013, 140 (7%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves, it said.
Four candidates have declared cases related to murder while 25 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder. 11 candidates have declared cases related to kidnapping such as Kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person.
16 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women such as Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty, and Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty.
Among the major parties, 33 (17%) out of 198 candidates analysed from BJP, 43 (22%) out of 193 candidates analysed from Congress, 26 (18%) out of 141 candidates analysed from AAP, and 31 (17%) out of 178 candidates analysed from the BSP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
21(11%) out of 198 candidates analysed from BJP, 27(14%) out of 193 candidates analysed from Congress, 16 (11%) out of 141 candidates analysed from AAP, and 20 (11%) out of 178 candidates analysed from BSP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Crorepati Candidates
Out of the 2188 candidates this time, 597 (27%) are crorepatis. In 2013, out of 2030 candidates, 508 (25%) were crorepatis. Among the major parties 160(81%) out of 198 candidates analysed from BJP, 149 (77%) out of 193 candidates analysed from the Congress, 25 (18%) out of 141 candidates analysed from AAP, 40 (22%) out of 178 candidates from BSP, 19 (35%) out of 54 candidates from the RLD have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.
Average Assets
The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Rajasthan Assembly Elections is Rs 2.12 Crores. Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 198 BJP candidates analysed is Rs. 6.88 crores, 193 Congress candidates analysed is Rs 7.57 crores, 141 AAP candidates have average assets of Rs 75.70 lakhs, 178 BSP candidates have average assets worth Rs. 1.03 crores. There are 9 candidates who have declared zero assets.
