Chhattisgarh polls: 10 pc candidates with declared criminal cases

New Delhi: Ten per cent of the candidates analysed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) are facing declared criminal cases in Chhattisgarh. Out of them, 6 candidates are facing serious criminal charges.

The ADR has analysed 143 candidates in the fray. Of them, 15 (10 per cent) have declared that they are facing criminal cases in their affidavit to the Election Commission of India (ECI).

The third player in the fray is Chhattisgarh Swabhiman Morcha (CSM) whose candidate Rajesh Gupta is facing 5 criminal cases while hios party collegue Janisar Akhtar is also facing 4 cases. Independent candidate Nazrul Islam Khan is facing 4 criminal cases.

A total of 40 candidates are facing criminal cases. Out of them 4 are from the main opposition in the state Congress, 3 are from the BJP, 5 are from the CSM, 3 are from the Communist parties, and 8 are from the BSP respectively. Though the nature of some of these cases is not serious.

There are 25 corepati candidates in the fray. Among them Renu Jogi, wife of the former chief minister Ajit Jogi and the Congress candidate from Kota has declared assets worth over Rs 6 crore.

Chief Minister Raman Singh who is contesting from Rajnandgaon is also a crorepati candidate with declared assets worth over Rs 5 crore. Among the crorepati candidates, 11 are facing criminal cases.

About 38 per cent of the candidates are graduates or above. Interestingly over 40 per cent of the candidates have not declared their PAN numbers. Among the analysed candidates, 37 per cent have filed their Income Tax Returns (ITRs).

Highlights of candidates:

Total number of constituencies = 90

Total candidates analysed by NEW = 143

Candidates with declared criminal cases = 15 (10 per cent)

Candidates with declared serious criminal cases = 6 (4 per cent)

Crorepati candidates = 25 (17 per cent)

Candidates who are graduate or above = 54 (38 per cent)

Candidates who have not declared PAN = 60 (42 per cent)

Total women candidates = 11 (8 per cent)

Total candidates who have filed ITR = 53 (37 per cent)