ADR: 25 pc candidates in UP first phase have criminal background

New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) One fourth of all candidates contesting the upcoming Uttar Pradesh polls in the first phase have criminal background, a report by Association for Democratic Reforms said on Wednesday. The report analyzed affidavits of 615 out of 635 candidates that are fighting in the first phase. As per the ADR report 156 (25 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves, while 121 (20 per cent) declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Among the major parties, 21(75 per cent) out of 28 candidates analyzed from SP, 17(59 per cent) out of 29 candidates analyzed from RLD, 29 (51 per cent) out of 57 candidates analyzed from BJP, 21 (36 per cent) out of 58 candidates analyzed from INC, 19 (34 per cent) out of 56 candidates analyzed from BSP and 8 (15 per cent) out of 52 candidates analyzed from AAP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. There are 12 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of them, one candidate has declared cases related to rape. The report also said 31 out of 58 constituencies in first phase are ‘Red alert constituencies’ which means there three or more contesting candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves. “The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in Phase 1 of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 25% candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in Uttar Pradesh phase I elections have given tickets to 15 per cent to 75 per cent candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves,” the report said. Meanwhile, out of the 615 candidates, 280(46 per cent) are crore-patis. Among the major parties 28 (97 per cent) out of 29 candidates analyzed from RLD, 55 (97 per cent) out of 57 candidates analyzed from BJP, 50 (89 per cent) out of 56 candidates analyzed from BSP, 23(82 per cent) out of 28 candidates analyzed from SP, 32 (55 per cent) out of 58 candidates analyzed from INC and 22 (42 per cent) out of 52 candidates analyzed from AAP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore. The first phase of polls in Uttar Pradesh will take place on February 10.