UP Polls: BJP tops chart in fielding candidates with criminal background

Lucknow: 'Clean politics' is now only constraint to books as the pre-poll analysis in Uttar Pradesh for the first phase polling, suggests that as many as 29 candidates from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 28 from Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) have tainted background.

The ruling Samajwadi Party, Congress and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) are not far behind with 15, 6 and 19 candidates, respectively, have criminal backgrounds, says a joint report released by the Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

It may be mentioned that the first phase polling in Uttar Pradesh, to be held on February 11, covers 15 districts and is spread over 73 assembly seats.

Out of 839 candidates, about 168 have mentioned criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits submitted with the Election Commission.

BJP and BSP have fielded 73 candidates each for the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls followed by RLD which has announced candidates on 57 seats.

Samajwadi Party and Congress have fielded 51 and 24 candidates, respectively for the first phase of elections in the state.

Out of 293 independent candidates, 38 have declared criminal cases against them.

Interestingly, out of 168 candidates, 147 have been alleged of serious criminal cases against them including charges of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and crimes against women.

• 15 candidates are accused of murder.
• 42 candidates are accused of attempt to murder.
• Five candidates are facing cases related to crimes against women.
• Two have been accused of kidnapping.