Money and muscle power rule Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) polls

NEW DELHI: Nearly 10 per cent of the total candidates in the MCD elections have declared criminal cases against themselves as against 7 per cent in the last MCD polls in 2017. A report by Association of Democratic Reforms on Saturday disclosed that out of 1,336 candidates analyzed, 139 (10 per cent) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2017 MCD elections, out of 2315 candidates analysed, 173 (7 per cent) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

In these MCD polls, 76 (6 per cent) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves while in 2017 MCD elections, 116 (5 per cent) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.

Among the major parties, 45 (18 per cent) out of 248 candidates analysed from AAP, 27 (11 per cent) out of 249 candidates analysed from BJP and 25 (10 per cent) out of 245 candidates analysed from Congress have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Similarly, among the major parties, 19 (8 per cent) out of 248 candidates analysed from AAP, 14 (6 per cent) out of 249 candidates analysed from BJP and 12 (5 per cent) out of 245 candidates analysed from Congress have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

While one candidate has declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against himself, six candidates have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves, showed the ADR report.

The role of money power in MCD elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates. Out of the 1336 candidates, 556 (42 per cent) are crorepatis this time. In 2017 MCD elections, out of 2315 candidates, 697 (30 per cent) were crorepatis. (IANS)

Also Read: Assam Power Distribution Company Limited withdraws proposed tariff hike

Also Watch: