New Chhatisgarh assembly cleanest on MLA criminal cases

NEW DELHI: Emerging as the cleanest among the four new assemblies, Chhattisgarh accounts for the lowest percentage of MLAs with criminal cases while the number of such newly elected MLAs is highest in Delhi.

As per an analysis of criminal cases declared by candidates in their election affidavits, 17 per cent of newly elected MLAs in Chhatisgarh (15) have criminal cases registered against them in the 90-member assembly.

On the other hand, 36 per cent of newly elected Delhi MLAs (25) have criminal cases registered against them in the 70-member assembly, according to data compiled by non-profit organisation Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

Delhi is closely followed by Madhya Pradesh with 31 per cent or 72 elected members with criminal records. The state has 230 assembly seats.

In Rajasthan, 18 per cent elected candidates (36) have declared criminal cases against themselves. Rajasthan has 200 assembly seats.

On the other hand, there are 45 winners in Madhya Pradesh (20 per cent) with declared 'serious criminal cases', as per ADR database.

In Delhi, there are 20 such newly elected members (29 per cent), while the same for Rajasthan stand at 19 (10 per cent).

In Chhatishgarh, there are only 8 winners with declared serious criminal cases (9 per cent).