New Delhi: The Kerala Election Watch and the ADR have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 928 out of 957 candidates from 140 constituencies. According to the report, 355 (38%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves and 167 (18%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
According to the report, K. Surendran of BJP who is contesting from two constituencies namely Konni and Manjeshwar has declared 248 criminal cases against himself including cases related to attempt to murder, maintenance of harmony, dacoity, robbery while another candidate K.S. Radhakrishnan of BJP from Thirpunithura has declared 211 criminal cases against himself including cases related to attempt to commit culpable homicide, dacoity, etc.
"Among the major parties, 77 (89%) out of 87 candidates analysed from INC, 76 (71%) out of 107 candidates analysed from BJP, 49 (68%) out of 72 candidates analysed from IUML, 10 (44%) out of 23 candidates analysed from CPI, 4 (33%) out of 12 candidates analysed from Kerala Congress (M) and 8 (11%) out of 72 candidates analysed from BSP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits," the ADR report stated.
Addressing a press conference on the report, "Among the major parties, 77 (89%) out of 87 candidates analysed from INC, 76 (71%) out of 107 candidates analysed from BJP, 49 (68%) out of 72 candidates analysed from IUML, 10 (44%) out of 23 candidates analysed from CPI, 4 (33%) out of 12 candidates analysed from Kerala Congress (M) and 8 (11%) out of 72 candidates analysed from BSP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits," the ADR report stated.
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Addressing a press conference on the report, Jagdeep Chhokar, founder member of the ADR said, "the directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in the selection of candidates in the Kerala assembly elections 2021 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 38% candidates with criminal cases."
"All major parties contesting in Kerala elections have given tickets ranging from 11% to 89% candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves. The Supreme Court in its directions dated 13 February 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates," he added.
Jagdeep Chhokar said that as per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection has to be with reference to qualifications achievements and merit of the candidate concerned.
Meanwhile, the National Election Watch and ADR analysed the self-sworn affidavit of 6,318 out of 6,792 candidates who contested in the Union Territory of Puducherry and 4 states of Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal till Phase III. According to the report, out of 6,318 candidates analysed,1,157 (18%) have declared criminal cases while 632 (10%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
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