A groundbreaking report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that a striking 47% of sitting MLAs in West Bengal's poll-bound state have declared criminal cases against them. With assembly elections scheduled for April 23 and 29, this revelation raises significant concerns about the political integrity of the candidates. Analysing self-sworn affidavits from 291 out of 294 MLAs, the report highlights that 109 lawmakers face severe criminal accusations. Notably, Trinamool Congress and BJP representatives record substantial figures, with 41% and 66% respectively having criminal cases. Financial disclosures indicate that 52% of the total MPs are crorepatis, with the average assets per MLA varying considerably across parties. While highlighting education levels, the report notes a majority of MLAs are graduates and above. The data offers critical insights into the socio-economic dimensions of West Bengal's political sphere.
