Around 21 percent candidates contesting in the Manipur assembly polls in the first phase have criminal background, a report said on Friday. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysed the self sworn affidavits of all 173 candidates fighting the polls in the first phase, 37 (21 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Of these, 27 (16 percent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. Among the major parties,11 (29 percent) out of 38 candidates analysed from BJP, 7 (25 percent) out of 28 candidates analysed from JD(U), 8 (23 percent) out of 35 candidates analysed from INC and 3 (11 percent) out of 27 candidates analysed from NPP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Out of the 173 candidates, 91 (53 percent) are crorepatis.Among the major parties 21(78 percent) out of 27 candidates analysed from NPP, 27 (71 percent) out of 38 candidates analysed from BJP, 18 (51 percent) out of 35 candidates analysed from INC and 14 (50 percent) out of 28 candidates analysed from JD(U) have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore. Manipur goes to polls in two phases on February 28 and March 5.