A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch has shed light on the financial and legal backgrounds of the Members of Parliament (MPs) elected in the recently concluded general election. According to the report, a significant number of MPs are crorepatis (millionaires), with a concerning percentage facing criminal charges.
The report reveals that out of the 543 winning candidates, a staggering 93% are crorepatis. Among the major political parties, the BJP stands out with 95% of its winning candidates being crorepatis, averaging assets worth Rs. 50.04 crore. However, it is noteworthy that 39% of these BJP MPs have declared criminal cases against them.
Similarly, the Congress party, with 99 seats, has 93% crorepatis among its winning candidates, with an average asset value of Rs. 22.93 crore. Nearly half of the Congress leaders elected have criminal cases registered against them.
The report also highlights a concerning trend of MPs facing criminal charges. A total of 251 winning candidates, which is 46% of the total, have declared criminal cases against them. This marks a significant increase of 55% since the 2009 general election.
Moreover, out of the 543 winning candidates, 170 have serious criminal cases filed against them. These cases include charges related to rape, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women.
The BJP and Congress both have a notable number of MPs with serious criminal cases. Specifically, 63 of the 240 winning BJP candidates and 32 of the 99 winning Congress candidates have serious criminal cases against them.
Sources By Agencies
