These are the findings of the report of Association for Democratic Reforms which has compiled the data from the affidavits filed by the candidates during their nominations

This may not be music to the ears. 

Fifty five per cent of the total winning MLAs of the recent Karnataka assembly polls have criminal cases against them. This is a rise from 35 per cent in 2018 to 55 per cent in 2023.

These are the findings of the report of Association for Democratic Reforms which has compiled the data from the affidavits filed by the candidates during their nominations. According to data, 122 of 221 winning candidates have criminal cases against them as compared to 77 in 2018.  In 2013, there were 74 (34 per cent) MLAs who had declared criminal cases against themselves.

These are no petty crimes. One winning candidate has murder charges against him, and three have declared cases of attempt to murder. Seven new MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women; one of them has declared case related to rape.

Here too, Congress takes the biggest piece of the cake. 78 (58 per cent) of 134 winning candidates from Congress, 34 (52 per cent) out of 66 winning candidates from BJP, 9 (47 per cent) out of 19 winning candidates from JD(S). 

As for serious criminal cases, 40 (30 per cent) out of 134 winning candidates from INC, 23 (35 per cent) out of 66 winning candidates from BJP, 7 (37 per cent) out of 19 winning candidates from JD(S) and 1 (100%) Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha winning candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.