Alarming Statistics Revealed in Lok Sabha Elections Phase II: Criminal Cases, Wealth Disparity, and ADR Recommendations.
In the aftermath of Lok Sabha Elections Phase II, startling revelations surface regarding the prevalence of criminal cases, wealth distribution among candidates, and recommendations from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) to address these pressing issues.
New Delhi: A comprehensive analysis of candidate declarations exposes concerning trends in Indian politics. Among the key findings, 32 candidates have declared convictions, with 3 facing murder charges and 24 charged with attempted murder. Additionally, 25 candidates have cases related to crimes against women, including 1 with a rape charge.
The major political parties are not exempt from this phenomenon, as evidenced by alarming statistics. Notably, CPI, SP, and BJP lead in fielding candidates with criminal records, with percentages ranging from 45% to 100%.
In terms of financial backgrounds, the disparity is glaring. While 33% of candidates are Crorepatis, the average asset per candidate stands at Rs. 5.17 crores. The wealthiest candidates boast assets exceeding Rs. 600 crores, while 6 candidates declare zero assets, and others possess as little as Rs. 500.
Moreover, liabilities burden 50% of candidates, with some facing debts exceeding Rs. 150 crores. Notably, 47 candidates have undisclosed PAN details, raising transparency concerns.
The ADR's recommendations aim to address these issues head-on, advocating for permanent disqualification of candidates convicted of heinous crimes, disqualification for those facing serious charges, and cancellation of tax exemptions for parties fielding tainted candidates, among other measures.
The Election Commission of India faces calls for greater transparency, including displaying candidates' criminal records, assets, and liabilities outside polling booths.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of Phase II elections, calls for electoral reform grow louder, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and the restoration of public trust in the democratic process.
Certainly, here are the details:
Richest candidates:
1. Venkataramane Gowda (Star Chandru) from Karnataka, contesting from Mandya constituency representing the Indian National Congress (INC). He declared assets totaling Rs. 622,97,28,841 (Rs. 622 Crore+).
2. D K Suresh from Karnataka, contesting from Bangalore Rural constituency representing INC. He declared assets totaling Rs. 593,05,25,395 (Rs. 593 Crore+).
3. H.D. Kumaraswamy from Karnataka, contesting from Mandya constituency representing Janata Dal (Secular). He declared assets totaling Rs. 217,23,28,789 (Rs. 217 Crore+).
