The story if Bihar elections is an intersting tale by itself. Around 23 per cent or 244 candidates are facing serious criminal cases, says a data fished out by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR). That some of such alleged law breakers will be our law makers is a scary thought indeed, but i would like to caveat this with a fact that that one is innocent until proven guity. 455 candidates have declared their education to be between 5th to 11th standard. In next two years, India would celebrate its 75th indepencence day, we must seriously introspect that even after all these years, why education levels of candidates contesting to become law makers are wanting in education qualification. There are many such interesting facts in the data compiled in an ADR research below, I am sure you would find it useful and thought provoking.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
• Candidates with Criminal Cases: Out of 1064 candidates analyzed, 328 (31%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
• Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: 244(23%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Party wise Candidates with Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 30(73%) out of 41 candidates analysed from RJD, 21(72%) out of 29 candidates analysed from BJP, 24 (59%) out of 41 candidates analysed from LJP, 12 (57%) out of 21 candidates analysed from INC, 15 (43%) out of 35 candidates analysed from JD(U) and 8 (31%) out of 26 candidates analysed from BSP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
• Party wise Candidates with Serious Criminal Cases: Among the major parties, 22(54%) out of 41 candidates analysed from RJD, 20(49%) out of 41 candidates analysed from LJP, 13(45%) out of 29 candidates analysed from BJP, 9(43%) out of 21 candidates analysed from INC, 10(29%) out of 35 candidates analysed from JD(U) and 5(19%) out of 26 candidates analysed from BSP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
• Candidates with declared cases related to crime against women: 29 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of 29 candidates 3 candidates have declared cases related to rape (IPC Section-375 and 376).
• Candidates with declared cases related to murder: 21 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves.
• Candidates with declared cases related to attempt to murder: 62 candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.
• Red Alert Constituencies*: 61(86%) out of 71 constituencies are Red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where 3 or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.
• The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 31% candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in Bihar phase I elections have given tickets to 31 % to 70% candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves. The Supreme Court in its directions dated 13th February, 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates. As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection has to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned. Therefore, such unfounded and baseless reasons given by political parties like popularity of the person, does good social work, cases are politically motivated etc are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds. This data clearly shows that political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system and our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers.
FINANCIAL BACKGROUND
• Share of wealth among candidates: The share of wealth amongst the candidates contesting in the Bihar assembly elections 2020 phase I is as follows:
• Crorepati Candidates: Out of the 1064 candidates, 375(35%) are crorepatis.
• Party wise Crorepati Candidates: Among the major parties 39(95%) out of 41 candidates analysed from RJD, 31(89%) out of 35 candidates analysed from JDU, 24(83%) out of 29 candidates analysed from BJP, 30(73%) out of 41 candidates analysed from LJP, 14(67%) out of 21 candidates analysed from INC and 12(46%) out of 26 candidates from BSP have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.
• Average assets: The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections 2020 Phase I is Rs 1.99 Crores.
• Party wise average assets: Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 35 JD(U) candidates analysed is Rs. 8.12 crores, 41 RJD candidates analysed is Rs 6.98 crores, 21 INC candidates have average assets of Rs 6.03 crores, 41 LJP candidates have average assets of Rs 4.62 crores, 29 BJP candidates have average assets of Rs 3.10 crores and 26 BSP candidates have average assets worth Rs. 1.36 crore.
• High asset candidates: The details of top 3 candidates with highest declared assets, contesting in the Bihar Assembly Elections Phase I are given below:
• Zero assets candidates: There are 5 candidates who have declared zero assets. The details of these candidates is given below:
• Low assets candidates: The details of three candidates with lowest assets (excluding zero assets candidates) are as follows:
• Candidates with high liabilities: 453(43%) candidates have declared liabilities in their affidavits. The details of top three candidates with highest liabilities are given below:
• Candidates with high income as declared in the ITR*: The details of top 3 candidates with high income declared in ITR are given below:
• Candidates with high income as declared in the ITR*: The details of top 3 candidates with high income declared in ITR are given below:
• Candidates with high Assets who have not declared Income Tax Details*: 5 candidates with assets worth more than Rs. 95 lakhs have not declared Income Tax details. The details of these 5 candidates with highest assets who have not declared their IT returns are as given below:
• Undeclared PAN: A total of 116(11%) candidates have not declared their PAN details.
OTHER BACKGROUND DETAILS
Education details of candidates: 455 (43%) candidates have declared their educational qualification to be between 5th and 12th standard while 522 (49%) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. 74 candidates are literate. There are 5 candidates who are Illiterate and 7 candidates are Diploma holders. One candidate namly Bindu Vikash Atal of Jagrook Janta Party from Bodh Gaya constituency has not declared his education details in the affidavit.
Age details of candidates: 403(38%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 548 (52%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 112(11%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years. 1 candidate has declared his age 82 years.
Gender details of candidates: 114(11%) female candidates are contesting in the Bihar assembly election 2020 Phase I