NEW DELHI: In Gujarat's first phase of elections in 89 constituencies, 21 have three or more candidates with criminal cases registered against them. Of 923 candidates - out of a total of 977 - 137 or 15 percent face criminal cases, including serious charges such as murder, kidnapping and rape. This was revealed in an analysis carried out by non-profit organisation, Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch.
It also showed that 78 of the 137 nominees are facing serious criminal cases. A party-wise analysis found that 10 out of 89 BJP candidates were facing serious criminal charges, while the Congress gave tickets to as many as 20 such candidates for the first phase of the polls. These main political rivals were followed by eight candidates from the BSP, three from the NCP and one from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
"Though 977 candidates are in the fray for the 89 Assembly seats going to polls in the first phase on December 9, affidavits of 54 candidates could not be analysed as they were either badly scanned or incomplete," said a statement by the ADR.
Of the 137 candidates facing criminal cases, 78 candidates (eight percent) were facing serious criminal cases such as murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and rape. Eight candidates were facing attempt to murder charge while three had been accused of kidnapping. One was facing rape charge.
Mahesh Vasava, son of former JD(U) MLA, Chhotu Vasava, has topped the chart with 24 cases against him, including two of murder and one of attempt to murder, the report said, adding that he was also facing charges related to dacoity, robbery, rioting, assault, theft and kidnapping.
Vasava is fighting from Dediapada (ST) seat of Narmada district under the banner of the Bharatiya Tribal Party, floated by his father after a split within the JD(U) recently.
Of the 977 candidates announced, only 6.2 percent constitute women candidate, that is 57 women.
Rajguru Indranilbhai Sanjaybhai of the INC has declared the most assets at Rs 141 crore. Saurabh Yashvantbhai Dalal Patel and Dhanjibhai Patel, both of BJP, have declared assets worth Rs 123 crore and Rs 113 crore respectively.
Two candidates have also declared zero assets: Unadkat Prakashbhai Vallabhdas and Chauhan Rafik Husen, both independent candidates from Porbander and Somnath respectively.
The first phase of the two-stage Assembly polls will be held on December 9 and the second phase on December 14. The counting of votes is scheduled on December 18.
It also showed that 78 of the 137 nominees are facing serious criminal cases. A party-wise analysis found that 10 out of 89 BJP candidates were facing serious criminal charges, while the Congress gave tickets to as many as 20 such candidates for the first phase of the polls. These main political rivals were followed by eight candidates from the BSP, three from the NCP and one from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
"Though 977 candidates are in the fray for the 89 Assembly seats going to polls in the first phase on December 9, affidavits of 54 candidates could not be analysed as they were either badly scanned or incomplete," said a statement by the ADR.
Of the 137 candidates facing criminal cases, 78 candidates (eight percent) were facing serious criminal cases such as murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and rape. Eight candidates were facing attempt to murder charge while three had been accused of kidnapping. One was facing rape charge.
Mahesh Vasava, son of former JD(U) MLA, Chhotu Vasava, has topped the chart with 24 cases against him, including two of murder and one of attempt to murder, the report said, adding that he was also facing charges related to dacoity, robbery, rioting, assault, theft and kidnapping.
Vasava is fighting from Dediapada (ST) seat of Narmada district under the banner of the Bharatiya Tribal Party, floated by his father after a split within the JD(U) recently.
Of the 977 candidates announced, only 6.2 percent constitute women candidate, that is 57 women.
Rajguru Indranilbhai Sanjaybhai of the INC has declared the most assets at Rs 141 crore. Saurabh Yashvantbhai Dalal Patel and Dhanjibhai Patel, both of BJP, have declared assets worth Rs 123 crore and Rs 113 crore respectively.
Two candidates have also declared zero assets: Unadkat Prakashbhai Vallabhdas and Chauhan Rafik Husen, both independent candidates from Porbander and Somnath respectively.
The first phase of the two-stage Assembly polls will be held on December 9 and the second phase on December 14. The counting of votes is scheduled on December 18.
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