Patna: As Bihar gears up for the first phase of Assembly elections on November 6, a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch has revealed a concerning trend — nearly one in four candidates have serious criminal cases pending against them.
According to the report, based on affidavits of 1,303 out of 1,314 candidates contesting 121 seats in the first phase, 423 candidates (32%) have declared criminal cases, while 354 candidates (27%) face serious criminal charges. These include 33 cases related to murder, 86 of attempted murder, and 42 of crimes against women, with two candidates accused in rape cases.
Party-wise, the data shows that serious criminal charges are widespread across political lines. All candidates (100%) from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and 80% from the Communist Party of India (CPI) face serious charges. Among other major parties, 64% of CPI (ML), 60% of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), 56% of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 52% of Congress, and 26% of Janata Dal (United) candidates have serious cases registered against them.
When considering all criminal cases, the figures are even higher. 65% of BJP and Congress candidates face some form of criminal allegation. The report further states that 93% of CPI (ML), 76% of RJD, and 100% of both CPI and CPM candidates have criminal cases against them.
Breakdown by parties:
- Jan Suraaj: 50 out of 114 (44%) candidates have criminal cases; 43% face serious charges.
- BSP: 18 out of 89 (20%) candidates have criminal cases; 18% serious.
- RJD: 53 out of 70 (76%) candidates have criminal cases; 60% serious.
- JD(U): 22 out of 57 (39%) candidates have criminal cases; 26% serious.
- BJP: 31 out of 48 (65%) candidates have criminal cases; 56% serious.
- AAP: 12 out of 44 (27%) candidates have criminal cases; 20% serious.
- Congress: 15 out of 23 (65%) candidates have criminal cases; 52% serious.
- CPI (ML): 13 out of 14 (93%) candidates have criminal cases; 64% serious.
- LJP (R): 7 out of 13 (54%) candidates have criminal cases; 38% serious.
- CPI: 5 out of 5 (100%) candidates have criminal cases; 80% serious.
- CPM: 3 out of 3 (100%) candidates have criminal cases; 100% serious.
The ADR report also analyzed the financial and educational background of the candidates. 519 candidates (40%) are crorepatis, with an average asset value of ₹3.26 crore. Educationally, 40% have studied between Class 5 and 12, while 50% are graduates or hold higher degrees. Only 9% of the candidates are women.
The findings highlight the persistent issue of criminalization of politics in Bihar, raising questions about candidate selection processes across parties ahead of the November 6 elections.
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