In the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024, voting is scheduled for a total of 87 seats. Among the candidates contesting on these seats, 21% are embroiled in criminal cases, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Election Watch. Analysis of the affidavits filed by 1192 candidates reveals that 250 candidates face criminal charges, with 167 facing serious charges including 3 cases of murder, 24 attempted murder cases, 25 cases related to crimes against women, and one case of rape.
Of the analyzed candidates, it is found that 33% are millionaires. The Congress party has the highest number of millionaire candidates, with an average wealth of 39.70 crore rupees per candidate, while BJP candidates have an average wealth of 24.68 crore rupees. All five candidates from the JDU are millionaires, as are all four candidates from the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBTI). Of the 68 Congress candidates, 62 are millionaires, while 64 out of 69 BJP candidates are millionaires. Among the five candidates of the Bahujan Party, two are millionaires.
The analysis sheds light on the complex landscape of the electoral process, where criminal charges and financial wealth play significant roles alongside political affiliations.
