A staggering 168 candidates, which is 20% of total 839, have criminal cases registered against them, says a report by election watchdog Association of Democratic Reforms. Shockingly, 17%  (143 candidates) have serious criminal cases registered against them.  A report by Uttar Pradesh Election Watch and Association of Democratic Reforms has scrutinised self-sworn affidavits of 836 out of 839 candidates contesting in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls on February 11. The report found details about financial and criminal records of candidates. As per the report, 15 candidates have cases related to murder against them, while 42 have cases related to attempt to murder, five candidates are charged with crimes against women including assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty and rape. Further two have declared cases of kidnapping for ransom.

The agency also made an analysis of the financial backgrounds of candidates. Congress topped the chart of richest candidates by average assets, followed by BJP on second and BSP on the third spot. The average assets per candidate in Congress has been calculated at Rs 13,18,11,259 (Rs 13 crore approx), while in BJP it is Rs 7,40,04,657 (Rs 7 crore approx), and Rs 6,77,97,078 in BSP (Rs 6 crores approx).

In terms of individual properties, Congress’ Nazir Ahmad, candidate from Agra South, is the richest contender in the first phase of Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections 2017.  Ahmad owns total assets of over Rs 200 crores (Rs 2,11,47,10,975 in total), with movable assets of worth Rs 1,94,21,70,975 (Rs 194 crores approx) and immovable assets of Rs 17,25,40,000 (Rs 17 crores approx). Ahmad, who is a shoe businessman by profession, had lost 2012 assembly elections from the same seat to BJP’s Yogendra Upadhyay.