Almost half of TMC candidates in third phase are 'crorepatis'

More than 60 candidates contesting in the third phase of West Bengal Assembly polls have declared themselves to be 'crorepatis'.

According to an analysis of their affidavits by West Bengal Election Watch, out of 418 candidates in this phase, 61 have declared assets worth over Rs one crore. Of them, 13 have declared the value of their assets to be above of Rs 5 crore.

Out of 62 candidates from Trinamool Congress, 27 have assets worth above Rs one crore. Overall, the average assets of candidates from all parties in this phase is Rs 74.76 lakh, the report states.

BJP contestant Somabrata Mandal from Shyampukur seat is the richest of them all with total assets worth over Rs 28 crore. However, fighting the electoral battle with the rich are two candidates from Jharkhand Disom Party who have declared zero assets.

Polling for 62 seats in the third phase of the Assembly polls will be held on April 21 in Burdwan, Kolkata North, Murshidabad and Nadia. Out of the total 418 candidates in this phase, more than half of them have not declared income tax details in their affidavits, the report said.

An analysis of their criminal background shows that 80 candidates have criminal cases against them.