Phase II, same story, 42 contestants with crimil cases

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, April 5: Assam Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) have alysed the self-sworn affidavits of 523 candidates contesting in the second phase of the assembly elections to be held on April 11.

Out of the 523 candidates alyzed, 42 (8%) candidates have declared crimil cases against themselves, out of which 32 (6%) candidates have declared serious crimil cases including cases related to murder, attempt to murder, kidpping, crimes against women etc.

Two candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC sections 302 and 303). Anta Kumar Malo of the AIUDF from Abhayapuri South constituency has declared one charge related to murder by life-convict. Abul Kalam Rasheed Alam, of INC from Goalpara East constituency has declared one charge related to murder. Two candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder (IPC section 307). They are Amrit Badsha of INC from Bilasipara East constituency and Independent Ujjal Deb from Lumding constituency.

Similarly two candidates have declared cases related to crimes against women. They are Abdul Samad Choudhury of AIUDF from Rangiya constituency and Javed Hussain Tanwar of the tiol Road Map Party of India contesting from Guwahati West constituency. Both candidates have declared charges related to assault or crimil force on woman with intent to outrage her modesty (IPC section 354).

Two candidates have declared cases related to kidpping or abduction with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person, registered against them under IPC section 365. They are Abdur Rahim Khan of AIUDF and A Rahim Ahmed of INC, both contesting from Barpeta constituency.

Meanwhile, the partywise alysis says that 5 (9%) out of 57 candidates from Congress (INC), 5 (14%) out of 35 candidates from BJP, 10 (21%) out of 47 candidates from AIUDF, 1 (11%) out of 9 candidates fielded by CPI(M), 1 (20%) out of 5 candidates from Samajwadi Party (SP), and 17 (8%) out of 216 Independent candidates have declared crimil cases against themselves in their affidavits; whereas, 3 (5%) out of 57 candidates from INC, 4 (11%) out of 35 candidates from BJP, 8 (17%) out of 47 candidates from AIUDF, 1 (11%) out of 9 candidates fielded by CPI(M), and 12 (6%) out of 216 Independent candidates have declared serious crimil cases against themselves in their affidavits.

The ADR has earmarked Marigaon constituency as the red alert constituency in the second phase of polls as it has 3 candidates with declared crimil cases.

It may be mentioned that of the 539 candidates whose political fates were sealed in the first phase of polls on Monday, an earlier alysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms had revealed that as many as 30 candidates had declared crimil cases against themselves in their affidavits to the EC. Among them, 25 candidates had declared serious crimil cases.