AHMEDABAD: The influence of power and self in Gujarat politics is increasing. This is evident from the details given in the report released by the civil society organization, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), comparing candidates fielded by the BJP and the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls this year with those nominated in the 2009 elections. The ADR report is based on disclosures made by the candidates themselves in their affidavits submitted before the Election Commission. 

Of the 332 candidates contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Gujarat this year, 66 (around 20%) have criminal cases pending against them. The figure for this year indicates a rise of one per cent over the 2009 Lok Sabha polls in which 68 (or 19%) candidates were facing criminal charges. 

The ADR report says that of the 66 candidates facing criminal cases this year, 33 (or 50%) are accused in cases involving serious offences such as murder, attempt to murder, crimes against women, kidnapping etc. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, there were 34 candidates facing serious criminal cases. 

The report further states that nine out of the 25 candidates fielded by the Congress and nine out of the BJP's 26 nominees have criminal cases pending against them. 

Interestingly, the Aam Aadmi Party which swears by 'clean politics' and claims that it wants to keep criminals out of the Lok Sabha, has given ticket to three candidates with criminal background. AAP is contesting on 24 seats in the state. 

As for the role of wealth, the ADR report says that of the 332 candidates contesting the polls this year, 24% (or 78 candidates) are crorepatis. In 2009, there were 46 crorepati candidates in the fray. The average worth of assets per candidate in Gujarat this year is Rs 1.64 crore. 

According to the ADR report, 20 Congress candidates are crorepatis while 21 of the BJP's nominees are in that league. Interestingly, of the 24 AAP candidates in the fray, 12 are crorepatis. The average worth of assets of Congress candidate is Rs 4.76 crore and that of BJP is Rs 9.27 crore. The average worth of the assets declared by AAP candidates is Rs 2.34 crore, the ADR report says. 

BJP candidate, actor Paresh Raval, is the richest candidate this year while the poorest is an independent candidate from Bhavnagar.: The influence of power and self in Gujarat politics is increasing. This is evident from the details given in the report released by the civil society organization, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), comparing candidates fielded by the BJP and the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls this year with those nominated in the 2009 elections. The ADR report is based on disclosures made by the candidates themselves in their affidavits submitted before the Election Commission.

Of the 332 candidates contesting the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Gujarat this year, 66 (around 20%) have criminal cases pending against them. The figure for this year indicates a rise of one per cent over the 2009 Lok Sabha polls in which 68 (or 19%) candidates were facing criminal charges.

The ADR report says that of the 66 candidates facing criminal cases this year, 33 (or 50%) are accused in cases involving serious offences such as murder, attempt to murder, crimes against women, kidnapping etc. In the 2009 Lok Sabha polls, there were 34 candidates facing serious criminal cases.

The report further states that nine out of the 25 candidates fielded by the Congress and nine out of the BJP's 26 nominees have criminal cases pending against them.

Interestingly, the Aam Aadmi Party which swears by 'clean politics' and claims that it wants to keep criminals out of the Lok Sabha, has given ticket to three candidates with criminal background. AAP is contesting on 24 seats in the state.

As for the role of wealth, the ADR report says that of the 332 candidates contesting the polls this year, 24% (or 78 candidates) are crorepatis. In 2009, there were 46 crorepati candidates in the fray. The average worth of assets per candidate in Gujarat this year is Rs 1.64 crore.

According to the ADR report, 20 Congress candidates are crorepatis while 21 of the BJP's nominees are in that league. Interestingly, of the 24 AAP candidates in the fray, 12 are crorepatis. The average worth of assets of Congress candidate is Rs 4.76 crore and that of BJP is Rs 9.27 crore. The average worth of the assets declared by AAP candidates is Rs 2.34 crore, the ADR report says.

BJP candidate, actor Paresh Raval, is the richest candidate this year while the poorest is an independent candidate from Bhavnagar.