Twenty nine candidates with criminal cases contesting Arunachal polls

Our Correspondent

Itanagar: A total of 29 candidates out of total 184 contesting the April 11 Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, have declared criminal cases against them.

The percentage of candidates having criminal cases against them accounts to 16 per cent in comparison to six per cent during 2014 elections where nine candidates out of 148, declared criminal cases against them in their nominations.

Altogether 26 candidates have declared serious criminal cases against them this time in the state, a report by the National Election Watch, a part of Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) disclosed.

Out of the 60 candidates fielded by the BJP, seven candidates have criminal cases against them while, out of 46 Congress candidates, nine declared criminal cases against them in the nominations.

Out of 30 candidates fielded by the National Peoples’ Party (NPP) for the first time, two have declared criminal cases against them, while the Janata Dal United (JDU) contesting for the first time in the State, has two candidates with criminal cases against them out of total 15 contesting.

The Janata Dal Secular (JDS) who has made maiden entry into the State’s electoral schene, has one candidate with criminal cases out of total 12 fielded by the party.

One independent candidate out of total 11 in the fray, has declared criminal cases against him.

Among the candidates with serious criminal cases against them, the ruling BJP has four nominees, the Opposition Congress has nine candidates, followed by NPP (8), JDU (2), One JDS and one independent, the report added.

Also read: Arunachal news