LS polls phase IV: 476 millionaires, criminal charges against 360, ADR reports
Updated: May 5th, 2024
As the nation prepares for phase III of the Lok Sabha elections, India awaits phase IV of the elections that are scheduled for May 13, with 1,717 candidates from 10 states and UTs set to contest the elections.
A total of 360 (21%) candidates contesting in phase IV are facing criminal cases, including cases of murder, kidnapping, and attempts to murder, with 17 candidates even being convicted for their crimes, according to a report released by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on May 4.
Additionally, 11 candidates are facing charges of murder, while 30 candidates are facing charges of attempted murder. Furthermore, 50 candidates are facing allegations of violence against women.
Highest criminal charges against BJP candidates
A total of 360 candidates are embroiled in criminal cases among them, BJP leads with 40 out of 70 candidates, followed by Congress with 35 out of 60.
Other parties such as TDP include 9 out of 17 candidates facing criminal charges, Shiv Sena’s 2 out of three, AIMIM’s all 3 candidates, 3 out of 8 candidates of TMC, and 7 out of 9 candidates of SP.
Those who are accused of serious criminal cases include 32 candidates from the BJP, Congress’s 22, BSP’s 10, and 9 from the YSR Congress.
A total of 50 candidates have been charged with crimes against women, including 5 facing charges of rape.
Crorepati netas
Out of the 1,717 candidates contesting in phase IV, 476 are crorepati (millionaires), with an average asset of ₹1 crore.
Notably, 24 candidates have also claimed to have no assets.
Among the crorepati candidates, the BJP has the highest number with 65, followed by Congress with 56, and YSR Congress with 24 candidates.
The richest candidate is NRI medical professional Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar of the TDP, with family assets of more
than ₹5,705 crore. Konda Reddy of the BJP holds assets worth ₹4,568.
Educational background
644 candidates have qualifications below 12th grade. Out of the 1710 candidates, 944 are graduates, while only 30 have declared themselves as being uneducated. A total of 26 candidates have disclosed having no formal education background.
In terms of age, the average age of 624 candidates is between 25 and 40 years, while 842 candidates are between 41 and 60, and 226 candidates are between 61 and 80.
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