UP 5th phase: 19 per cent of candidates have criminal records

New Delhi: With Uttar Pradesh slated to go for the fifth phase of polling Saturday, a new study has said 19 per cent of the candidates has criminal cases against them.

According to the National Election Watch, out of 612 candidates analysed, 117 (19 per cent) have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Ninety-six have serious criminal cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and crime against women registered against them.

Nine candidates have cases related to murder, and 24 have declared cases related to attempt to murder. Four candidates have declared cases related to kidnapping for ransom.

Of those who are involved in crime against women, eight candidates have declared cases such as assault or using criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty. Mayawati’s BSP had the highest percentage of candidates with criminal cases against them with 23 (45 per cent) out of 51 candidates having a criminal record, while 21 BJP candidates out of 51 had criminal records.

The corresponding number for Samajwadi Party is 17 (41 per cent) out of 42 candidates fielded. Also, 14 candidates from Congress and 19 out of 220 Independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

UP also has many candidates who made to the “crorepati list”. Out of the 612 candidates in the fifth phase, 168 (27 per cent) are crorepatis — the maximum being from BSP (48), followed by 38 out of 51 candidates from BJP and 32 out of 42 candidates from SP.