SRINAGAR: At least 23 candidates contesting first three phases of Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir for 49 seats are having criminal and serious cases registered against them.
443 candidates will be contesting the first three phases of Assembly elections in the State. In the first phase for 15 Assembly seats 123 candidates were in fray, in second phase 175 were in fray for 18 seats and in third phase 145 candidates are contesting the polls for 16 seats.
According to election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 23 out of 443 candidates contesting elections in first three phases have criminal records and criminal cases registered against them.
In the poll affidavits filed by the candidates for first three phases, criminal cases including serious criminal cases have been registered against 23 candidates.
At least eight independent candidates having criminal cases registered against them. Highest number of four criminal cases are registered against independent candidate Aijaz Ahmad Sofi contesting elections from Handwara seat that went to polling in second phase on December 2. HE faces two charges related to rioting, armed with deadly weapon (IPC Section-148), 2 charges related to Act endangering life or personal safety of others (IPC Section-336) and 1 charge related to Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty (IPC Section-353).
Three candidates from ruling National Conference (NC) having criminal cases are contesting the elections.
NC candidate from Langate seat Wali Mohammad Bhat have two criminal cases while party candidates from Chrar-e-Sharif constituency Manzoor Ahmad Wani and Tral seat Mohammad Ashraf Bhat have one criminal cases each.
According to ADR, Congress has also fielded three candidates with criminal cases registered against them. “A criminal case stands registered against party candidate from Bandipora seat Usman Majid, a former counter insurgent. Criminal cases are also registered against Congress candidate from Kulgam seat Peer Nazim-ud-Din and party candidate from Chrar-e-Sharif seat Zahid Hussain”.
The saffron party BJP has fielded two candidates with criminal background. “BJP’s candidate from Mendhar constituency Zulfikhar Hussain Khan has two criminal cases registered against him while party nominee from Chrar-e-Sharif seat Ghulam Mohammad Chopan also has a criminal case filed against him,” reveals ADR.
The Jammu-based party J&K National Panthers Party (JKNPP) led by Supreme court lawyer Bhim Singh too has fielded two candidates including a sitting MLA having criminal cases registered against them.
JKNPP’s sitting MLA from Udhampur seat Balwant Singh Mankotia has a criminal case registered against him while two criminal cases are registered against party’s candidate from Reasi seat Balwant Singh.
Separatist-turned-mainstream politician and chairman of Peoples Conference, Sajjad Gani Lone has also fielded two candidates – one from Pattan seat and another from Chrar-e-Sharif constituency -- with criminal cases registered against them.
The opposition PDP, according to ADR, has fielded one candidate having criminal case registered against him. A criminal case stands registered against party candidate from Bhaderwah seat Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal.
NCP of Sharad Yadav and Democratic Nationalist Party of State Agriculture Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir have also fielded a candidate each with criminal case registered against them.
