The BJP that claims to have nominated candidates with clean backgrounds for the elections topped the list of nominees with criminal cases in the fourth-phase polls in the State.

A report by the Odisha Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) stated that 72 out of a total 346 candidates, who are contesting in the fourth-phase elections, have declared criminal cases against themselves and 52 have declared serious criminal cases.

In percentage,  22 per cent candidates out of 334 candidates analysed for the fourth phase polls have criminal cases and 16 per have serious criminal cases.

While the highest number of candidates with criminal cases and serious criminal cases are from the BJP, the BJD and the Congress are in the second and third positions, respectively, in the list.

Among the major parties, 24 (60%) out of 40 candidates analysed from the BJP, 12 (31%) out of 39 candidates from Congress, 15 (39%) out of 39 candidates from BJD, and 1 (3%) out of 31 candidates from BSP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, the ADR report stated.

Similarly, among the major parties, 16 (40%) out of 40 candidates analysed from BJP, 10 (26%) out of 39 candidates from the Congress, 10 (26%) out of 39 candidates from BJD, and 1 (3%) out of 31 candidates from BSP have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

The fourth phase polls will also witness 98 crorepati candidates contesting the elections.

As per the ADR report, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Niranjan Patnaik is the richest among Assembly candidates and his son Navajyoti Panaik richest among the Lok Sabha candidates nominated to fight the polls in fourth phase.