According to the political survey of the affidavits filed by the candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, 33% of the total candidates have declared serious criminal cases against them. The investigation was done by an apolitical organization, West Bengal Election. The organization released data that concluded the study of the affidavits by the candidates.
Out of the 18 candidates in the fray, 33%, i.e 6 of them agreed to have been under criminal jurisdictions. According to the criminal cases registered against the candidates, the candidate who has topped the list for the criminal accusations is the BJP candidate from Cooch Behar Nitish Pramanik.
Pramanik, 33-year-old, has declared 11 criminal cases against him, with the first one from the year 2009. He is booked under the 21 serious sections of the IPC, including murder (Section 302), attempt to murder (Section 307), assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty (Section 354) of the Constitution of India. Pramanik has a murder charge against him registered in April 208 in Dinhata, a town near Bangladesh border in North Bengal. He was charged against making preparation for dacoity and possessing illegal arms on February 27.
The second candidate on the list if the criminal charges is again a BJp candidate who is fielded from the Alipurduar Lok Sabha seat. The candidate allegedly has nine criminal cases pending against him and is booked under 29 serious sections of the IPC. The crimes include the attempt to murder and voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty under Section 333.
Out of the total candidates, 8 have successfully not displayed their Income Tax Returns details. The candidates include two from Trinamool Congress (TMC), two from BJP, two candidates from Congress, One candidate from Forward Bloc and an independent candidate.
Andhra Pradesh will go on polls on April 11 in the first phase of elections. The results for the election will be announced on May 23.