Nagpur: The affidavits of the candidates for the graduates’ constituency reveal that there are quite a few with criminal records. However, a majority of them are lakhpatis and a few are crorepatis. So far, the district administration has uploaded affidavits of 18 candidates on its website.
According to sources, who scrutinized affidavits of all the 19 contestants in fray, about 38% are crorepatis, including the favourites, while 27% have complaints registered against them at various police stations. Most of the crimes are related to minor offences like protests at public places and unlawful assembly registered under the Bombay Police Act and others. Two of them have over 16 criminal cases registered against them.
Highly qualified individuals were expected to contest the graduate constituency polls. While 39% of them are graduates, 34% hold postgraduate degrees. Only one candidate is a PhD holder while one is an Ayurvedic doctor. Few of them are from law and engineering backgrounds.
A majority of 19 candidates hail from business backgrounds and only 22% have academic credentials. About 17% have a legal background (LLB or higher degrees).
The affidavits posted on the Maharashtra government’s website further indicate that out of all crorepati candidates, four are independents while three are from registered political parties. About 23% have an annual income in the range of Rs50 lakh and Rs1 crore while one candidate has filed his income below Rs1 lakh. About 38% have displayed their income below Rs5 lakh.
The affidavits further reveal that maximum contestants in the fray are from Nagpur district (about 62%), while 17% are from Chandrapur, 12% Wardha, 6% Gondia and other districts.
AT A GLANCE
* About 38% contestants crorepatis, including favourites
* Four independents & three from registered political parties
* 27% have complaints against them at various police stations
* Two have over 16 criminal cases registered against them
* Most crimes are related to minor offences like protests at public places
* 39% contestants are graduates while 34% hold postgraduate degrees
* Only one candidate is a PhD holder, the other is an Ayurvedic doctor
* Most candidates have business background, 22% academics
* About 17% from legal background with LLB or higher degrees