Andhra Pradesh is second in terms of candidates with criminal cases in the fourth phase of polls, with 88 out of 450 contestants having cases. Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysed 1,710 candidates’ affidavits for the fourth phase of elections across 10 states. Elections in Andhra Pradesh, with 454 candidates for 25 Lok Sabha constituencies, are scheduled for May 13.

In the current LS elections, as many as 360 (21%) out of 1,710 candidates from major political parties have declared the criminal cases against them.

Of them, 274 candidates are facing serious criminal charges, according to report provided by ADR and The National Election Watch that monitor electoral processes and advocate for reforms.

Specifically, 12 out of 25 candidates of YSRCP, which is nearly half at 48%, have criminal cases against them, with nine facing serious charges. Similarly, TDP has 9, out of 17 candidates, amounting to 53%, with criminal cases, and six of them are dealing with serious criminal charges.

When it comes to financial assets, all 17 TDP candidates are ‘crorepati candidates,’ means they have assets exceeding one crore rupees. YSRCP is not far behind, with 24 out of 25 candidates, or 96%, being ‘crorepatis’.

Of the total of 450 candidates from Andhra Pradesh, there are 128 ‘crorepati candidates.’