Criminal cases against 30 per cent of Madhya Pradesh election candidates

New Delhi: Thirty per cent of candidates contesting Madhya Pradesh assembly elections on Congress, BJP and BSP tickets have criminal cases against them, according to an analysis of candidates' affidavits released by watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (APDR).

The Association analysed the self-sworn affidavits of candidates from Congress, BJP and BSP with Madhya Pradesh Election Watch (MPEW).

A total of 2583 candidates filed affidavits with the Election Commission of India, of whom 686 candidates were from the three major parties.

Out of these 686 candidates, 683 were analysed. Out of the 683 candidates, 206 candidates (30 per cent) have declared criminal cases against them with 120 declaring serious criminal cases.

These include murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, criminal intimidation and crime against women.

Fifty candidates from Congress, 37 from BJP and 33 from BSP have declared serious criminal cases against them.

Ninety one of 228 (40 per cent) candidates fielded by Congress have declared criminal cases against them while 61 out of 229 (27 per cent) candidates of BJP and 54 out of 226 (24 per cent) candidates from BSP have declared criminal cases in their affidavits.