West Bengal phase III polls: 26% candidates face criminal cases

A total of 205 candidates are in the fray for 31 constituencies from more than five major national and state political parties in phase III of the state Assembly polls to be held on April 6.

Hyderabad:Several national and state political parties have forayed into the battleground in West Bengal where elections are underway. Among these, the BJP and the TMC are playing a crucial role even as both parties are claiming a victory. In this high voltage of game of throne, it will be interesting to see who gets the throne and who, the thorn.

Total number of voters

A total of 205 candidates are in the fray for 31 constituencies from more than five major national and state political parties in phase III of the Assembly polls to be held on April 6.

Of the 205 candidates, 193 men and 12 women contestants are trying their luck.

As much as 50 per cent (102) of the candidates have the 'highest' education qualification of Class 12.

Key Candidates

Putting the direction of the Supreme Court for the selection of candidates on the back burner, the political parties have again given tickets to around 26% candidates with criminal cases in phase III of the polls. All major parties have given tickets, ranging from 11% to 62% of candidates, with criminal cases.

Crorepati candidates

Eight (26%) out of the 31 constituencies have been declared as Red Alert constituencies wherein three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Top 5 criminal candidates

Over 125 companies of CAPF have been deployed in the state to ensure a violence-free election and boost the confidence of voters.

Candidates involved in criminal cases

Bengal witnessed over 80 per cent polling in the second phase of the polls held for 30 Assembly constituencies on April 1 while around 79.79 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of elections held for 30 Assembly constituencies on March 27.

Party wise candidates with criminal cases

Election to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is being conducted in eight phases - March 27, April 1, April 6, April 10, April 17, April 22, April 26 and April 29.

Female Candidates in phase III

The counting of votes will take place on May 2. Last time, the Assembly elections were conducted in seven phases.