Odisha Elections 2024: 30% Of Lok Sabha Candidates In Phase II Have Criminal Cases

Bhubaneswar: Around 30% candidates with criminal cases are contesting in 5 Lok Sabha constituencies in Odisha that will go to polls on May 20, according to an analysis of Odisha Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The analysis was made on the basis of self-sworn affidavits filed by the candidates in Aska, Bargarh, Balangir, Kandhamal and Sundargarh constituencies.

Of all 40 candidates in the fray, 12 (30%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. While the candidates with 8 (20%) candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, one candidate has declared cases related to murder against himself.

Similarly, 4 candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section 307) against themselves and
4 candidates have cases related to crime against women pending against them.

The partywise analysis revealed that BJP has highest 80% candidates with candidates with criminal
cases. The Congress and BJD have 20% candidates with criminal cases.

It may be noted that seven (19%) of 37 candidates for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state have declared criminal cases pending against them, the analysis of Odisha Election Watch and ADR had revealed.