New Delhi: At least 43 crorepatis are in the fray for the fifth phase of West Bengal assembly elections while 67 candidates have disclosed criminal cases against themselves, a study said on Tuesday.
"43 or 12 per cent candidates of the 349 contesting candidates in Phase 5 of West Bengal assembly elections have declared assets worth over Rs 1 crore," said the report by rights group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Of this, 23 are from the ruling Trinamool Congress, nine from BJP, three from Congress, six from CPM and two are independent candidates. The average asset of candidates contesting in Phase 5, to be held on April 30, is Rs 70.78 lakh.
The survey further said as many as 59 candidates, out of the total 349 candidates in the fray, have not declared their PAN details while 181 (52 per cent) have not declared income tax details.
"10 (19 per cent) out of 53 candidates from BJP, 17 (32 per cent) out of 53 candidates from AITC, 14 (45 per cent) out of 31 candidates from CPM, 6 (19 per cent) out of 31 candidates of SUCI(C), 7 (50 per cent) out of 14 candidates fielded by INC, and 9 (11 per cent) out of 83 independent candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits," the ADR report said.
Six constituencies namely, Kolkata Port, Kasba, Jangipara, Kakdwip, Raidighi and Singur in Phase 5 of West Bengal assembly elections have three or more candidates with declared criminal cases.
On the education details of candidates, 143 (41 per cent) have declared their education qualification to be between 5th pass and 12th pass, while 125 (36 per cent) have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or graduate professional.
As many as 60 (17 per cent) have declared themselves to be post-graduates, while 8 (2 per cent) candidates have declared they are doctorates and 7 (2 per cent) candidates have declared they are just literate.
Also, 181 (52 per cent) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 50 years, while 164 (47 per cent) candidates have declared their age to be between 51 and 80 years.
Four candidates are more than 80 years old. The phase 5 has 43 (12 per cent) women candidates, ADR said, while adding it has analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 349 candidates in the fifth phase.
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