417 Out Of 1192 Candidates In Phase 2 Of Polls Face Criminal Cases, Most From BJP: ADR Data

As many has 31 candidates fielded by the BJP in the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls have criminal cases filed against them, as per the data released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Also, there are 69 candidates who are facing serious criminal cases.

Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and The National Election Watch have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 1192 out of 1198 candidates, who are contesting in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase II in the 12 states.

In terms of candidates with criminal cases, the statistics among major parties are as follows: all 5 candidates (100per cent ) from CPI, all 4 candidates (100per cent ) from SP, 14 out of 18 candidates (78per cent ) from CPI(M), 2 out of 3 candidates (67per cent ) from Shiv Sena, 35 out of 68 candidates (51per cent ) from Congress, 2 out of 4 candidates (50per cent ) from Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), 31 out of 69 candidates (45per cent ) from BJP, and 2 out of 5 candidates (40per cent ) from JD(U) have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Among the major parties, the breakdown of candidates with serious criminal cases is as follows: 3 out of 5 candidates (60per cent ) from CPI, 2 out of 4 candidates (50per cent ) from SP, 7 out of 18 candidates (39per cent ) from CPI(M), 22 out of 68 candidates (32per cent ) from INC, 21 out of 69 candidates (30per cent ) from BJP, 1 out of 4 candidates (25per cent ) from Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), and 1 out of 5 candidates (20per cent ) from JD(U) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Out of the 1192 candidates, a total of 417 have criminal cases filed against them, including serious criminal charges.

In a press release, the ADR said, "The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase II as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 21per cent candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in Lok Sabha Elections Phase 2 have given tickets from 40 per cent to 100 per cent candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves."

In its directive issued on February 13, 2020, the Supreme Court explicitly instructed political parties to provide explanations for their candidate selections and justify why individuals without criminal backgrounds were not chosen.

According to ADR, 45 out of 87 constituencies, accounting for 52per cent , are classified as red alert constituencies in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 phase II. Red alert constituencies are defined as those where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.