Sitting MP and Congress candidate from Chhindwara, Nakul Nath is the richest candidate in the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections while Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan has the highest number of criminal cases against him.
According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch, which was released on Monday, Nath’s wealth is over Rs 716 crore with movable assets worth Rs 668 crore. He is the son of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath.
The report shows that Chandrashekhar, who is the national president of the Azad Samaj Party, has 36 criminal cases registered against him. He is contesting from Nagina constituency in Uttar Pradesh, which will go to polls in the first phase on April 19.
The report is based on an analysis of self-sworn affidavits of 1,618 out of 1,625 candidates, who are contesting from 21 states in the first phase. Out of 102 constituencies going to polls, 42 (41 per cent) are red-alert seats, which means three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases, the report shows.
Despite parties making tall claims about including women in policymaking, only 135 women are contesting in the first phase against 1,483 men, shows the report.
Candidates with criminal charges
At least 252 (16%) out of 1,618 candidates have declared criminal cases, including 161 facing serious charges. The list also included 15 candidates with declared cases, where they were convicted.
“Seven candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section 302); 19 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section 307); 18 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women,” the report stated, adding that one independent candidate from Tamil Nadu has declared cases related to rape (IPC Section 376).
The report said 35 candidates have declared cases related to hate speech. “The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in… Phase I as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 16% candidates with criminal cases. All major parties contesting in… Phase I have given tickets from 13% to 100% candidates who have declared criminal cases,” it added.
The top court, in its directions on February 13, 2020, had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for choosing such candidates and why individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected.
When it comes to criminal cases, Chandrashekhar, who is facing 78 serious IPC sections, is followed by union minister and Coochbehar BJP candidate Nisith Pramanik. He is facing 14 cases and 26 serious IPC sections.
450 crorepatis in the fray
The report further stated that the average asset per candidate contesting in the first phase is Rs 4.51 crore, with 450 (28%) such crorepatis.
While Nath is the richest candidate, the second in the list is AIADMK’s Ashok Kumar from Tamil Nadu’s Erode. He has assets worth more than Rs 662 crore. The BJP’s Dhevanathan Yadav, contesting from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu, is the third richest candidate in the fray, the report said.
“There are 10 candidates who have declared zero assets,” the report added.
Over 50% candidates graduates, aged between 40 and 60 years
The ADR report shows that 639 (39%) candidates have educational qualifications between Class V and Class XII, while 836 (52%) candidates have declared qualification of graduate or above.
“A total of 77 candidates are diploma holders while 36 candidates have declared themselves to be just literate and 26 candidates are illiterate. Four candidates have not provided any educational qualification,” the report said.
The report also said 505 (31%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 40 years while 849 (52%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 and 60 years.
“There are 260 (16%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 and 80 years. Four candidates have declared their age to be above 80 years,” the report added.
Candidates aged above 80 are 82-year-old TR Paarivendha contesting as BJP candidate from Tamil Nadu’s Perambakur; 82-year-old TR Baalu, who is the DMK candidate from Sriperumbudur; 83-year-old Independent Bhagwan Prasad Tiwari from Sidhi in MP; and Hindustan Janata Party’s 80-year-old candidate Vishvnath Khinchi contesting from Alwar.
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