The role of money in the electoral politics of Haryana has increased compared to last assembly elections, even as there is a marginal decrease in the number of criminal candidates contesting the elections.

The latest data released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) for the Haryana assembly elections reveals that around seven per cent candidates have criminal cases against them as compared to the 2009 assembly elections when nine per cent candidates had criminal cases against them.

Giving details of the data, founder member of ADR, Jagdeep Chhokar, said that around five per cent of the candidates (70) have serious criminal cases against them, which includes murder, communal disharmony and crimes against women.

A party-wise look at the percentage of criminal candidates reveal that the Haryana Janhit Congress has the highest percentage of such candidates, with 15 per cent of its candidates having criminal cases. The INLD comes a close second, with 11 per cent of its candidates facing criminal charges against them. The BJP has 10 per cent of candidates with criminal cases whereas the congress has only 4 per cent candidates with criminal cases against them.