Bhubaneswar, May 28: A recent joint report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch has brought to light a concerning revelation regarding the ongoing Assembly election in Odisha. According to the report, a significant number of candidates, specifically 348 out of the total 1283 contenders, are facing criminal charges.
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Among the major political parties in the state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerges with the highest count of candidates entangled in various criminal cases. The report indicates that a substantial 68 per cent of BJP's candidates, amounting to 100 out of 147, have criminal charges against them. Moreover, it's stated that 58 per cent of BJP candidates are accused of serious offenses such as kidnapping, assault, rape, murder, and other offenses carrying a maximum punishment of five years or more.
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Similarly, the report highlights that 41 per cent of Congress candidates, which equates to 60 out of 145, have declared criminal cases against them. In contrast, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has fielded 46 candidates, comprising 31 per cent of their total 147 candidates, who are facing criminal charges.
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The report underscores the influence of monetary power in elections, noting that major political parties tend to favor wealthy candidates for ticket distribution. Among the analyzed candidates, 87 per cent from BJD, 65 per cent from BJP, 61 per cent from INC, and 27 per cent from AAP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.
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The revelation of such a significant number of candidates facing criminal charges raises questions about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process in Odisha.
