KEW to prepare final report on candidates' huge assets

Bangalore, May 17 (UNI) Karnataka Election Watch (KEW) today said it was preparing a final report on candidates with huge assets for submission to the Election Commission, Income Tax and Judicial and Government officials for 'investigation into the amassing of such wealth.' KEW Founder Trilokanath Shastry told mediapersons here that a number of candidates for the Karnataka Assembly Elections had reported a huge increase in assets compared to that around previous elections.

''This means the elections are mostly open to the rich and the stakes are very high and rising from election to election,'' he said.

A number of candidates were industrialists from real estate, mining, liquor and other businesses, he said, adding the average assets of candidates from the major parties was Rs 2.84 crore.

This steep rise needed investigation to restore public trust, he said and added that the KEW will send its final report for follow up by the agencies concerned.

Stating the overall quality of candidates left much to be desired, he said in 69 Assembly constituencies going to the polls on May 22 in the final phase, there were 36 candidates with criminal records.

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