A survey by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Maharashtra Election Watch found that 629 (29%) candidates, contesting Maharashtra assembly polls this year, have declared criminal cases against them. Of these, 412 (19%) are charged with serious criminal offences, including rape, murder and attempt to murder. In 2019 elections, of 3,112 candidates, 916 (29%) had declared criminal cases of which 600 (29%) were serious, as per the Delhi-based organization.
The ADR and MEW analysed affidavits of 2,201 candidates with key political parties of the total 4,136 nominees in fray. The survey sheds light on criminal record trends, wealth concentration, and educational disparities among candidates. Of 4,136 candidates, 490 are from national parties, 496 are from state parties, 1,063 are from registered unrecognised parties, and 2,087 candidates are Independents.
As per the report released on Monday, ADR claimed those with criminal records included those facing charges of murder, rape, attempted murder, and crimes against women. Among analysed candidates, 50 face cases related to crime against women, with two charged with rape. Major political parties show alarming percentages of candidates with criminal records. BJP has the highest number of tainted candidates (68%), followed by Congress (58%) in the fray.
At least 1,034 (47%) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between Class 5 and Class 12, while 1,025 (47%) candidates are graduates or above and 74 are diploma holders. 58 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate, and 10 are unread.
As per the report, wealth remains a significant factor in this year's elections, with 38%, which is 829 candidates, declaring assets of over ₹1 crore, up from 32% in 2019. In 2019 polls, of 3,112 candidates, 1,007 (32%) were crorepatis. Among major parties, the prevalence of crorepati candidates is staggering in this year's polls. The average wealth of all candidates is ₹9.11 crore, more than double the 2019 figure of ₹4.21 crore, highlighting growing economic disparities in electoral representation. In BJP, 97% candidates are crorepatis, with average assets of ₹53.98 crore; in Shiv Sena (UBT), 99% are with average assets of ₹15.28 crore; and Congress 93%, averaging ₹25.29 crore.
On the tainted candidate list, the Delhi-based organization cited Supreme Court's directives to provide valid reasons for selecting candidates with criminal antecedents. It mentioned that parties put forward vague justification such as popularity and social work, exposing a disregard for electoral reforms.
"Parties again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 29% of candidates with criminal cases. All major parties gave tickets to 54-68% candidates, who declared criminal cases against themselves," the ADR report stated.
The apex court, in its directions of February 13, 2020, specifically instructed political parties to cite reasons for such selections and why clean individuals could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection must be with reference to qualifications, achievements, and merit of the candidate.
"In the recent assembly elections in two states earlier this year, it was observed that political parties gave unfounded and baseless reasons like popularity, social work, and cases being politically motivated. These are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds. This data clearly shows that political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system, and our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers," the report says.
# Parties with criminal candidates:
BJP: 68% with criminal cases; 38% with serious charges
INC: 58% with criminal cases; 35% with serious charges
Shiv Sena (UBT): 66% with criminal cases; 42% with serious charges
NCP (SP): 61% with criminal cases; 33% with serious charges
NCP (AP): 54% with criminal cases; 37% with serious charges
Other highlights of the ADR report:
#Average assets: ₹9.11 crore.
2019 poll: Average assets of 3,112 candidates was ₹4.21 crore
Party-wise assets:
Average assets of each candidate:
149 BJP candidates is ₹53.98 crore,
81 Shiv Sena candidates have ₹29.02 crore,
101 Congress candidates have ₹25.29 crore,
84 NCP (Sharad Pawar) candidates have ₹24.54 crore,
59 NCP (Ajit Pawar) candidates have ₹22.99 crore
95 Shiv Sena (UBT) have ₹15.28 crore.
Age details
686 (31%) candidates have declared age between 25 and 40 years, while 1,196 (54%) candidates are between 41 and 60 years. There are 317 (14%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 and 80 years.
2 candidates are above 80 years.
Gender details:
204 (9%) women candidates contesting
In 2019, 235 (8%) of 3,112 candidates were women