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Patna

PATNA: There is no dearth of crorepati candidates in the second phase of Bihar election on October 16. In fact, per candidate average assets in this phase is worth Rs 1.18 crore!

According to the Bihar Election Watch (BEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysis of the candidates' affidavits, 142 out of 456 have criminal cases against them and 11 are accused in murder cases. Altogether 24% (110) candidates are facing serious criminal cases related to murder, attempt to murder, communal disharmony, kidnapping, crimes against women, etc.

BSP's Ramendra Ram from Chenari (SC) constituency is accused in two murder cases. Thirty-six candidates have declared cases of attempt to murder while six are charged with crime against women.

Aurangabad has the highest number of candidates with criminal charges against them, said BEW state coordinator Rajiv Kumar.

Out of the 456 candidates, 106 (23%) are crorepatis. Nine (56%) out of the 16 from BJP, 10 (77%) out of 13 from JD(U), eight (62%) out of 13 from RJD, eight (42%) out of 19 from SP, three (50%) out of 6 of Congress, four (31%) out of 13 from CPI, 15 (47%) out of 32 of BSP and 22 (15%) out of 146 independent candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.

The average assets per BJP (16) candidate is Rs 4.19 crore, while it is Rs 2.78 crore for the 32 from BSP, Rs1.65 crore for 13 from JD(U), Rs1.44 crore for six from Congress, Rs1.89 crore for 13 from RJD, Rs2.12 crore for 19 from SP, Rs61.88 lakh for 13 from CPI and Rs82.46 lakh for 146 Independent candidates.

According to the analysis, 185 (41%) candidates have not declared their PAN details while nine have assets worth more than Rs 1 crore without PAN details.

BSP's Kaushal Singh of Aurangabad has total assets over Rs 45 crore whereas BJP's Gopal Narayan Singh, who is contesting from Nabinagar, owns assets worth over Rs 42 crore. LalitMohan Singh, who is contesting from Arwal on 'Arakshan Virodhi Party' ticket, has assets worth over Rs 34 crore.

CPI's Ram Ashish Ram from Nabinagar has total assets worth Rs 1,000 only whereas Raj KumarPaswan, who is contesting from Bodh Gaya (reserved) seat on the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha ticket, has assets of Rs 3,000. Krantikari Vikas Dal candidate Munni Devi from Barachatti (reserved seat) has assets worth Rs 7,000 only.