Among the 238 candidates contesting in phase II of the J&K Assembly polls scheduled for September 25, 24 per cent face criminal charges and 37 per cent face serious criminal charges, according to information in their affidavits.
Documents candidates have filed also reveal that 55 per cent are crorepatis.
Candidates with criminal cases include 4 out of 26 (15 per cent) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); four out of 17 (24 per cent) from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), two out of six (33 per cent) from the Congress (INC) and one out of 20 (5 per cent) from the National Conference (NC).
Candidates with the maximum number of serious criminal cases belong to the INC with two out of six (33 per cent); followed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with three out of 17 (18 per cent); National Conference (NC), with one out of 20 (5 per cent); and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with 1 out of 26 candidates (4 per cent).
An analysis by non-profit organisation Association for Democratic reforms reveals three candidates have been charged with attempted murder (IPC Section 307), and cases have been filed against seven for crimes against women – with rape charges against one candidate under IPC Section 376.
Out of eight Assembly constituencies, 31 per cent have been declared ‘Red Alert Constituencies,’ where three or more contesting candidates face criminal cases.
As money power too plays an important role in the elections, 133 out of 238 candidates (55 per cent) are crorepatis.
According to reports, there is clear evidence of money power playing a central role in the country’s politics, as all major parties have given mandates to wealthier candidates.
Among the wealthiest candidates in phase II, the Apni Party chief, Altaf Bukhari, has assets worth ₹165 crore and is contesting from Chanapora, while Tariq Hamid Karra of Congress has ₹149 crore and is contesting from Shalteng.
Mushtaq Guroo of NC has a net worth of ₹90 crore and is also contesting from Chanapora.
Additionally, 84 candidates 35 per cent of candidates are aged between 25-40 years, whereas 105 candidates are aged 41-60.
Apart from that, only 3 per cent of women are contesting in phase II of the assembly elections.
Voting for this phase will take place on September 25, and results will be announced on October 8 alongside the other two phases.
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