West Bengal poll phase 5: 67 with criminal background, 43 crorepatis

Kolkata, Apr 26: West Bengal's phase five of the elections will witness a total of 67 candidates with a criminal background contesting.

A report by the West Bengal Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms also shows that there are 43 crorepatis in the fray for the 5th phase of the polls.

The report prepared based on the affidavits filed by the candidates also shows that there are a total of 52 with serious criminal cases pending against them. The charges range from murder, theft and crimes against women.

Candidates with criminal background:

Out of all the 349 candidates, 67 (19%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. 52 (15%) candidates have declared serious criminal cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, theft, crimes against women etc.

4 candidates have declared charges related to Murder (Indian Penal Code Section-302). 9 candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC Section-307). 12 candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women.

Party wise candidates with criminal cases:

10 (19%) out of 53 candidates from BJP, 17 (32%) out of 53 candidates from AITC, 14 (45%) out of 31 candidates from CPI(M), 6 (19%) out of 31 candidates of SUCI(C), 7 (50%) out of 14 candidates fielded by INC, and 9 (11%) out of 83 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

7 (13%) out of 53 candidates from BJP, 15 (28%) out of 53 candidates from AITC, 9 (29%) out of 31 candidates from CPI(M), 5 (16%) out of 31 candidates of SUCI(C), 4 (29%) out of 14 candidates fielded by INC, and 8 (10%) out of 83 Independent candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Six constituencies namely Kolkata Port, Kasba, Jangipara, Kakdwip, Raidighi and Singur in Phase 5 of West Bengal assembly elections have 3 or more candidates with declared criminal cases. (Red Alert Constituencies are those which have 3 or more candidates with criminal cases contesting elections).

Financial Background

43 or (12%) candidates of the 349 contesting candidates in Phase 5 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections have declared assets worth over Rs 1 Crore. 23 (43%) out of 53 candidates from AITC, 9 (17%) out of 53 candidates from the BJP, 3 (21%) out of 14 candidates from the INC, 6 (19%) out of 31 candidates from the CPI(M) and 2 (2%) out of 83 Independent candidates are crorepatis.

The average of assets per candidate contesting in Phase 5 of the West Bengal Assembly Elections is Rs 70.78 Lakhs.

Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 53 BJP candidates is Rs 78.24 Lakhs, 53 AITC candidates have average assets of Rs 2.20 crores, 31 SUCI (C) candidates have average assets worth Rs 11.45 Lakhs, 14 INC candidates have average assets worth Rs 2.22 crore, average assets of 31 CPI(M) candidates is Rs 54.08 Lakhs, 26 BSP candidates have average assets of Rs 14.79 Lakhs and 83 Independent candidates have average assets of Rs. 30.22 Lakhs.

OneIndia News