With each passing election, the role of money and muscle power has grown in Goa’s politics, and this is evident from the fact that 62% of the 301 candidates contesting in the 40 assembly constituencies are crorepatis, while 26% have a criminal record, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). 

Of the 301 candidates, 77, or 26%, face criminal charges. In 2017, 15% of the candidates had criminal cases registered against them. There has also been a jump in candidates with serious criminal charges. While there were just three candidates in 2007, this time there are 53 candidates with serious charges, including rape. 

ADR state coordinator Bhasker Assoldekar also said in 2017, there were six candidates charged with serious crimes and whose net worth was more than Rs 10 crore. “All the six got elected. This time, there are 20 candidates who have assets of more than Rs 10 crore and who face serious criminal charges. The question to be asked is whether this has emboldened others with criminal cases to enter politics,” said Assoldekar. 

Candidate affidavits also show that 187, or 62%, are crorepatis, with average assets of Rs 6.5 crore and thus, are not a genuine representation of the common voter. 

“This close and alarming nexus between money and muscle power has got so ingrained in our electoral system that citizens are left hostage to the current situation. Money and muscle power hurt the principles of free and fair elections, participatory democracy and level playing field,” said Assoldekar. 

ADR said voters need to know about the worrying trend so that the “sanctity of elections is not ridiculed by tenacious entry of tainted candidates”. 

Congress has the highest number of candidates facing criminal charges, with 17 of the party’s 37 candidates boasting a criminal record. Of these, 13 face serious charges. BJP comes second, with 10 of the 40 candidates admitting criminal antecedents, including seven with serious criminal cases. AAP comes a close third with nine candidates accused of crimes. 

Of the 68 independent candidates in the fray, 15 are accused of serious crimes. 

“The role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Among the major parties, the BJP has the greatest number of wealthy candidates with 38 out of 40 candidates being crorepatis. Congress comes a close second with 32 of its 37 candidates boasting assets worth more than a crore,” he said. 

Other parties have also followed suit, with nine of the 13 MGP candidates, 17 of the 26 TMC candidates, 24 of the 39 AAP candidates and 8 NCP candidates declared assets valued at more than Rs 1 crore.