More than half of the newly elected MLAs in the 403-member Uttar Pradesh and 117-seat Punjab assemblies face criminal charges, according to reports from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). Of the 520 lawmakers in both chambers, 263 have declared criminal cases against him. In 2017, a total of 159 MLAs from these houses were facing criminal charges.

In addition, this time there is also more MLA crorepati. Compared to 417 in 2017, 453 such lawmakers have been elected to both chambers this time.

UTTAR PRADESH

Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and ADR have analyzed the affidavits of the 403 winning candidates in the 2022 assembly elections.

“Of the 403 winning candidates analyzed in 2022, 205 (51%) of the winning candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves,” the report says. In 2017, 143 (36%) MLAs had declared criminal cases against themselves.

This time the UP assembly has 158 (39%) legislators facing serious criminal cases –those related to homicide, attempted homicide, kidnapping, crimes against women, etc. In 2017, this number was 107 (26%).

Among those facing criminal charges, five have declared cases related to murder (Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code), 29 have declared cases of attempted murder (IPC Section 307). Six have declared cases related to crimes against women, including cases related to rape (section 376 of the ICC) for one.

In the UP assembly, the Bharatiya Janata Party has won 255 seats, while the Samajwadi Party has won 111. The other seats went to Apna Dal (Soneylal) [12]; Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) [8]; Indian Nirbal Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal (Nishad) [6]; Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) [6]; Congress [2]; Jansatta Dal Loktantrik [2]and Bahujan Samaj Party [1].

In terms of political parties, 111 (44%) MLAs from BJP, 71 (64%) from SP, seven (88%) from RLD, four (67%) from SBSP, four (67%) from Nishad, three (25 %) from Apna Dal (Soneylal), two from Jansatta Dal Loktantrik and two from Congress, while one from BSP has declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

In addition, 90 (35%) from BJP, 48 (43%) from SP, five (63%) from RLD, four from SBSP and Nishad, while two each from Apna Dal (Soneylal), Jansatta Dal Loktantrik and Congress, and one of BSP has declared serious criminal cases.

The report also says that of the 403 winning candidates, 366 (91%) are crorepatis, up from 322 (80%) MLAs in 2017.

PUNJAB

Punjab Election Watch and ADR have analyzed the affidavits of the 117 winning candidates in the assembly polls. A total of 58 (50%) of the winning candidates have declared criminal cases against them, while 27 (23%) have declared serious criminal cases against them. In 2017, 16 (14%) MLAs had filed criminal cases against themselves, while 11 (9%) had filed serious criminal cases against themselves.

One new MLA has declared murder-related cases (IPC Section 302) against himself, while two have declared attempted murder cases (IPC Section 307). Three MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women, according to the report.

In Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party won 92 seats while the Congress won 18. The Shiromani Akali Dal won 3, the BJP 2 and the BSP 1.

Across parties, 52 (57%) MLAs from AAP, three from Congress, two from SAD and one from BJP have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits. In addition, 23 (25%) from the AAP, two each from Congress, and two from the SAD have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Of the 117 winning candidates analyzed, 87 (74%) are crorepatis, compared to 95 (81%) in 2017.