Himachal: Cong has most ‘crorepati’ candidates, BJP with criminal records

The analysis, compiled by Association for Democratic Reforms of self-sworn affidavits of all 338 candidates, shows that 59 out of 68 candidates (87 per cent) from the ruling Congress have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.

New Delhi : The Congress has the highest number of ‘crorepati (multi-millionaires) candidates while the BJP has most with declared criminal cases against them in the upcoming Himachal Pradesh assembly polls, according to an analysis of the candidates’ affidavits.

The analysis, compiled by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) of self-sworn affidavits of all the 338 candidates, shows that 59 out of 68 candidates (87 per cent) from the ruling Congress have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, reports IANS.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is close second with 47 out of its 68 candidates (69 per cent) being crorepatis.

The richest candidate in the fray with declared assets worth more than Rs 90 crore – Balvir Singh Verma from Chopal constituency – is from the BJP, and is followed by Congress’ Vikramaditya Singh from Shimla Rural who has assets worth more than Rs 84 crore.

Out of the total 338 candidates, 158 (47 per cent) are crorepatis.

In terms of candidates with declared criminal records, the BJP tops the chart with 23 out of its 68 candidates (34 per cent) having criminal cases against them. The Congress is a distant second in this regard with just six of its 68 candidates (9 per cent) having criminal cases against them.

In terms of serious criminal cases including murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping etc. against them, the BJP again pips Congress with nine out of 68 (13 per cent) of its candidates with such cases.

The Congress has three out of 68 (4 per cent) candidates with serious criminal cases against them. One Congress candidate, Ram Kumar, contesting from Doon constituency, has declared case related to murder against him.

Congress Himachal poll manifesto woos farmers, youths & employees

Shimla: The ruling Congress in Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday released its manifesto for the November 9 assembly election, promising interest-free loans to farmers, laptops for students, jobs for youth and special grade pay-scale for all employees.

Releasing the manifesto, Congress leader and Health Minister Kaul Singh said all marginal and small farmers in the state would be extended an interest-free loan of Rs one lakh without following strict conditions, reports IANS.

For the fruits growers, 90 per cent subsidy would be provided on anti-hail nets. For the youth of the hill state, there will be creation of 1.50 lakh government jobs in its five-year term.

He said if the party returned to power, all categories of employees would be granted a special grade pay-scale.

Wages of the labourers employed under the central government-funded Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the party said, would be hiked to Rs 350 per day from the existing Rs 150.

He was accompanied by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and party in-charge and former union minister Sushilkumar Shinde at the manifesto launch ceremony here.