3rd phase polling in UP: 27 nominees have criminal records, 58 are 'crorepatis'

LUCKNOW: Of the 168 candidates contesting the April 24 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, as many as 27 have criminal records as 58 are 'crorepatis'.

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Uttar Pradesh Election Watch came out with the figures in a report after analysing affidavits of the candidates of 12 Lok Sabha seats that are going to polls in the state's third phase polling.

"Of the total 168, 16 per cent candidates or 27 nominees have criminal records. Of them 19 have accepted that they were named in murder or attempt to murder cases," the report said.

While SP's Rameshwar Singh Yadav contesting from Farukhabad had murder case pending against him, BSP candidate from Mathura Yogesh Kumar also have murder case on him.

In the third phase, BSP is leading in fielding candidates with criminal cases. On 12 seats, seven candidates of BSP are facing criminal cases while five of SP, three each of Congress and BJP and one of AAP are also facing criminal cases.

Of the total candidates, 58 are 'crorepatis'. While all 12 candidates of BSP are 'crorepatis', 11 of BJP, four of Congress, five of AAP and four Independents are also among 'crorepatis'.

While BJP's Hema Malini contesting from Matura is the richest candidate with over Rs 178 crore assets, Rastriya Lok Dal (RLD) candidate from Firozabad Mira Mukram Bega has declared assets of Rs 1,000 only.