JAMMU, Nov 21: Out of 123 candidates contesting in the first phase of elections in J&K, there are 5 candidates facing criminal cases including cases related to kidnapping, criminal intimidation etc.
According to Jammu and Kashmir Election Watch (JKEW) and Association forDemocratic Reforms (ADR), this has exposed the tall claims of regional and national parties of Jammu and Kashmir state for providing good governance, transparency and accountable government.
JKWE State Coordinator Balvinder Singh, quoting the self-sworn affidavits of all 123 candidates contesting in the “first phase” of Jammu and Kashmir elections-2014, stated out of 123 candidates, 5 (4%) candidates declared criminal cases against them and some of them were facing serious criminal cases including cases related to kidnapping, criminal intimidation etc.
1 (7%) out of 15 candidates from INC whereas 1 (7%) out of 14 candidates from JKPDP, 1 out of 2 candidates from NCP and 2 (5%) out of 39 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
He added that candidates with serious criminal cases, 1(7%) out of 14 candidates from JKPDP while 1 out of 2 candidates from NCP and 2 (5%) out of 39 Independent candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Giving analysis based report on declared names of criminal cases against the contesting candidates, Balvinder said, “Out of 123 candidates, five candidates of different parties like INC contesting candidate Mohammad Yousaf of Doda constituency has been booked in section IPC sections 420, 465, 471, 1208 under FIR No. 146/2005 PS Pacca Danga, Jammu where the court taking cognizance; Anti Corruption Court Jammu on September 19, 2006, charges framed on March 30, 2009 whereas another Independent candidate from Sonawari in Bandipura constituency Nazir Ahmad Wani has been booked under IPC sections 366, 109 under FIR No. 64/2009 PS Sumba in district Bandipora.”
He added that Ajaz Hussain of NCP candidate from Kishtwar constituency was booked under IPC sections 323, 504, 506 under case no. 143/2003 PS Kishtwar the charges were framed by CJM Kishtwar whereas PDP candidate from Bhaderwah, Doda constituency was booked under IPC sections 120, 468, 471, other details S(1)d r/w 5(2) and sec 17 of J&K state vesting of ownership Rights to Occupants Act 2001, court taking court taking cognizance by Additional Session Judge Bhaderwah on September 29, 2012 and INC candidate of Bandipora constituency Usman Abdul Majid who was booked under IPC sections 500, 109, other details-Court taking cognizance Chief Judicial Magistrate Bandipora dated December 2, 2011, appeal under section 561-A No. 178/2011 Abdul Majid Ganai V/S Nizamudin Bhat before High Court Srinagar and cognizance order passed by CJM Bandipora has been stayed.”
Referring to financial background details of crorepatis contesting candidates of 1st Phase election which is scheduled to be held on November 25, Balvinder said, “Out of 123 candidates, 46 (37%) are crorepatis wherein 9 (69%) out of 13 candidates in JKNC, 7 (50%) out of 14 candidates in JKPDP, 6 (46%) out of 13 candidates in BJP, 5 (33%) out of 15 candidates in INC and 13 (33%) out of 39 Independent candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1crore.”
He added, “The average assets per candidate contesting in Ist Phase is Rs 1.38 crores whereas the average assets per candidates of 15 INC candidates is Rs. 1.43 crores, 14 JKPDP candidates have average assets of Rs. 2.42 crores, 13 JKNC candidates have average assets worth of Rs. 399 crores and 13 BJP candidates have averages assets of 1.40 crores.
He further said, “There are three candidates of regional parties of NC and PDP with high assets having more than Rs 10 crores worth of assets and they included 2 NC candidates namely Altaf Ahmed from Kangan constituency in district Ganderbal and Sajjad Kichloo from Kishtwar constituency and 1 PDP candidate from Sonawari constituency falling in Bandipur district.”
Singh said, “Out of 39 independent candidates, only 7 candidates have filed their ITR details whereas out of 15 candidates of INC, only 6 candidates have filed their ITR, out of 14 PDP candidates only 7 candidates have filed their ITR, out of 13 NC candidates, only 8 candidates filed ITR, out of 13 BJP candidates, only 5 candidates have filed ITR, out of 8 BSP candidates only 1 candidates has filed ITR and out of 2 SP candidates, 1 candidate has filed ITR details while filing their nominations.”
“7 JKNPP, 4 J&K Peoples Conference, NCP, JD(S) and Rashtriya Krantikari Samajwadi Party candidates as none of them filed their ITR details,” he added.
Referring to Crorepati candidates with high liabilities, Balwant said, “Two contesting candidates of PDP and INC namely Yasir Reshi and Abdul Majid Wani from Sonawari and Doda constituencies respectively have declared liabilities of Rs 1 crore and above having total assets of Rs 13 crores+ and liabilities of Rs 9 crores+ and Rs. 2 crore+ and liabilities of Rs. 1 crores as per PAN Card respectively.”
Informing about the educational, age, gender and professional background details of candidates, Singh said, “Out of 123 candidates, 2 candidates are illiterate, 1 is literate whereas 3 candidates are 5th Pass, 16 are 8th pass, 28 are 10th pass, 24 are 12th pass, 14 are Graduate, 15 are Graduate Professional, 17 are Post Graduate, 2 are Doctorates and 1 not given his educational details.”
He added, “Out of 123 contestant, 9 candidates are contesting the election between 25-30 years of age group of whereas 31 candidates between 31-40 years of age group, 33 candidates between 41-50 age group, 33 candidates between 51-60 years, 15 candidates between 60-70 years and 2 candidates between 71-80 years of age group.”
