In WB, 65 nominees have criminal charges

Sixty-five candidates of various political hues contesting the third phase of West Bengal Assembly elections have serious criminal cases against them with one of them facing rape charges.

The third phase of polls is slated for April 21 when voters in 62 constituencies exercise their franchise.

According to private election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 16% of 418 candidates have serious criminal charges.

The Trinamool Congress has the highest number of 18 candidates with serious charges fillowed by the Congress (14), the CPM (12) and the BJP (11). Two of the 70 independent candidates have also declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

The candidate who faces rape charges is Bamacharan Banerjee of CPM who is contesting from Bhatar constituency. There are five candidates with murder charges against them. Seven constituencies — Krishnaganj (SC), Raghunathganj, Raina (SC), Purbasthali Dakshin, Mangalkot, Bhagaban Gola and Bharatpur – have three or more candidates each with criminal cases.

On the wealth front, 61 or 15% of the candidates have declared assets worth over Rs 1 crore. The average of assets per candidate is Rs 74.76 lakh.

The Trinamool Congress has the highest number of 27 crorepati candidates followed by the BJP (14) and the Congress (11). Three independents are also crorepatis.

The wealthiest candidate in this phase is BJP's Somabrata Mandal, who is fighting from Shyampukur, who has declared Rs 28.65 crore assets.

Two candidates – Jharkhand Disom Party's Prem Chand Soren and Budo Murmu – have declared zero assets while Apurba Biswas of SUCI(C) has declared assets worth Rs 56.