Lucknow , Jan 28 (ANI): Uttar Pradesh Election Watch, an election analyst group, which studied affidavits of 284 candidates contesting in the first phase said that 109 candidates (38 per cent) had criminal cases against them which is a rise of ten percent since the last elections in 2007.
Members of the election watch group on Saturday said the number of candidates with muscle and money power had substantially increased in the first phase of the state polls which is going to be held on February 8 in Uttar Pradesh.
They also highlighted the fact that if a tainted candidate has been denied ticket, then his wife or brother has been given ticket to contest in the polls.
“If a person with criminal background has been denied ticket, then either his brother or wife has been given ticket. The objection to a tainted person contesting the election has been that he might intimidate voters. If he is not in a position to influence the voters, he could influence voters in his wife or brother’s favour,” said K. C. Dwivedi, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Election Watch.
The data pointed out that leading political parties of state – Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Samajwadi Party (SP), Congress Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) – have given tickets to such tainted people.
“The main parties have given tickets to 38 percent people with criminal background, which is more than 10 percent from the previous elections, in the first phase of the elections,” said Anil Birwal, another member of the group.
The number of millionaire candidates has also increased. Assets of at least 51 percent candidates are more that Rupees one crore.
“If we examine the money power of these candidates. Last time 22 percent candidates were crorepati now more than 51 percent candidates are crorepati. All these parties claim to represent backward people, no party represents rich people, but when it comes to giving tickets they couldn’t find anybody who is not crorepati,” added Birwal.
Nearly 930 candidates are in the fray for the 55 constituencies going to polls in the first phase.
Voting in Uttar Pradesh would be held in seven phases for 403 assembly constituencies starting February 8 and it would conclude on March 3.
The counting of votes would take place on March 6.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/rise-in-number-of-tainted-candidates/
