23% of candidates contesting in West Bengal Assembly elections have criminal cases registered against them. Among these, the highest number, around 208 candidates, are from the BJP. Meanwhile, 192 candidates face charges related to crimes against women.
The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has analysed affidavits of a total of 2,920 candidates contesting the elections. Of these, 630 candidates are crorepati, meaning one in every five candidates falls into this category.
According to the report, the average assets of candidates are approximately ₹1.28 crore. The highest proportion, about 72%, of TMC candidates are millionaires, while in the BJP, the figure stands at around 49%. In terms of educational qualifications, 48% of candidates have studied between Class 5 and Class 12, while 47% are graduates or possess higher qualifications.
Criminal cases among major parties
Out of a total of 1,074 candidates from the BJP, TMC, Congress, and CPI(M), 481 have criminal cases registered against them. Among these, around 35 candidates face charges related to murder, while 192 candidates are accused in cases involving crimes against women. Eight candidates face allegations of rape.
Additionally, approximately 412 candidates from these parties have serious criminal cases against them. Major political parties have fielded candidates with pending criminal cases, with figures ranging from about 26% to as high as 72%.
Wealth profile of candidates
TMC’s Jakir Hossain from the Jangipur constituency in Murshidabad district is the richest candidate in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, with total assets exceeding ₹133 crore. TMC candidate Gautam Mishra from the Barjora constituency in Bankura district ranks second, with assets worth ₹105 crore.
At the other end of the spectrum, Rubiya Begum of AJUP from the Medinipur constituency in West Medinipur has declared assets worth just ₹500. Additionally, four candidates have reported zero assets.
The average asset per candidate stands at about ₹1.27 crore. Party-wise, the average assets are ₹5.4 crore for TMC candidates, ₹2.9 crore for BJP candidates, ₹1.55 crore for Congress candidates, and ₹1.07 crore for CPI(M) candidates.
13% ticket to women candidates
According to the 2011 Census, the number of women in West Bengal is nearly equal to that of men. Despite this, political parties have allotted only about 13% (385) of tickets to women candidates.
In terms of education, around 47% of candidates are non-graduates, while another 47% are graduates or hold higher qualifications. Additionally, about 47% of candidates have an educational background between Class 5 and Class 12.
Age-wise, around 29% (854) of candidates are between 25 and 40 years old, while about 53% (1,567) fall in the 41 to 60 age bracket. Around 17% (495) are aged between 61 and 80, and four candidates are above 80 years old.