Dilip Ray of the BJP is the richest, in terms of annual income, among the 673 candidates in the fray for the first phase polls in the Odisha, due to be held on April 10.
According to a report released by Odisha Election Watch, the state chapter of the National Election Watch at a press conference here today, while Dillip Ray, the BJP candidate from Rourkela Assembly constituency is the richest in terms of income, Chakradhar Paika, the independent candidate from Mohana comes second and A U Singhdeo, the BJD candidate from Balangir Assembly constituency is ranked the third among the candidates with the highest income.
The report said, while only 52 women candidates are in the fray for the first phase elections in the state as many as 147 candidates have criminal cases, including serious charges like murder and rape, pending against them.