Bihar polls third phase; sneak peek into the candidatures

NewsGram Staff Writer

New Delhi:Undoubtedly the high-profile Bihar polls have drawn immense media attention. With two phases done and dusted, Bihar is geared up for the third phase. With the fate of the candidates hanging in perfect balance, a candid analysis of the profile of the candidates will provide a vivid picture of those who would represent the people of Bihar in the near future.

It was noted in the third phase that out of all the 808 candidates, 215 candidates, 27 per cent, have declared of having criminal cases against themselves.

Serious Crime: Notably, 162 candidates, 20 per cent of the total, have serious criminal cases sued against them. They have been booked against various offences including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, communal disharmony, kidnapping, crimes against women etc. 31 candidates have declared cases related to murder under Indian Penal Code (Section-302). Ajay Kumar, an Independent candidate from Kumhrarh constituency has the maximum murder charges with 8 cases against him.

Murder charge: While five candidates of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have murder charges against them, three of Communist Party of India(Marxist-Leninist) Liberation (CPI (ML)(L)), two from Janata Dal (United) (JD-U), two fielded by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), two candidates of Communist Party of India (CPI) and one each from Samajwadi Party (SP), Garib Janata (Secular), Jan Adhikar Party(Loktantrik) JAP(L)), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Shiv Sena (SHS), Samras Samaj Party, BSP, Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party and nine Independent candidates have declared cases related to murder in their affidavits.

Attempt to murder: A total of 57 candidates have declared cases of having attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) chgarges against them.

Crimes against women: 12 candidates have outstanding cases related to crimes against women. These crimes include attempted rape, molestation, outraging of modesty, forcible confinement, torture and others.

Communal disharmony: Four candidates claimed of having cases relating to causing communal disharmony.

Robbery and dacoity: 13 candidates have declared cases related to robbery and dacoity.

Kidnapping charges: 13 candidates have declared cases related to kidnapping.

BJP topped the charts with 21 out of its 34 candidates (62 %) having criminal charges.

Other notable parties' statistics are as follows:

CPI – 7 out of 19 (37%), BSP- 9 out of 47 (19%),

JD(U )-10 out of 18 (56%), SP -12 out of 31 (39%)

RJD- 17 out of 25 (68%) , INC -3 out of 7(43%)

Party wise crorepati candidates: 26 (76%) out of 34 fielded by BJP, 13 (28%) out of 47 candidates of BSP, 13 (72%) out of 18 candidates from JD(U), 5 (71%) out of 7 candidates from INC, 20 (80%) out of 25 candidates from RJD, 16 (52%) out of 31 candidates fielded by SP, 13 (54%) out of 24 candidates of JAP(L), 7 (70%) out of 10 candidates of LJP and 52 (19%) out of 276 Independent candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.

Education details of candidates: 361 (45%) candidates have declared their education qualification to be between 5 th pass and 12th pass. While 384 (48%) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above, 54 candidates have declared themselves to be simple literates.

Gender details of candidates: The third phase will witness 71 (9%) female candidates are contesting the Bihar assembly elections this year.

(With inputs from Bihar Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms)