It has been raining money for the Uttar Pradesh MLAs after they got elected five years ago. This striking information came out in a report jointly released by NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Uttar Pradesh Election Watch (UPEW) detailing the asset increase of candidates contesting in sixth phase of assembly election. Out of 360 candidates analysed by ADR and UPEW, 49 are re-contesting MLAs.

The report reveals that the average asset of these MLAs as reflected in their 2007 affidavits was Rs 1.26 crore (approx) which grew within five years to Rs 3.38 crore (approx) at a rate of 168 percent.

Lakhi Ram Nagar of BSP from Kithore constituency has the highest increase in asset (from Rs 8.42 crore in 2007 to Rs 19.73 crore in 2012), followed by Pooran Prakash of RLD from Baldev constituency (from Rs 27.1 lakh in 2007 to Rs 6.9 crore in 2012) and Madhusudan Sharma of BSP from Bah constituency (from Rs 3.66 crore in 2007 to rs 8.61 crore in 2012).

The highest percentage increase in asset has been for Satveer Singh Gujjar (3,776%) of BSP from Dadri constituency. His assets rose from Rs 2.51 lakh in 2007 to Rs 97.48 lakh in 2012. Satveer is followed by Pooran Prakash of RLD (2,456%) whose asset rose from Rs 27.01 lakh in 2007 to Rs 6.9 crore in 2012, and Hazi Jameer Ullah of SP from Koil constituency (1,681%) whose asset swell from Rs 6.00 lakh in 2007 to Rs 1.06 crore in 2012.

The number of crorepatis has increased substantially in the election run as 210 candidates (58%) are crorepatis.

According to the report, the candidate with maximum asset in is Najir Ahmed of INC from Agra South constituency with assets worth Rs 141.39 crore followed by Vinod Kumar of BSP from Debai with Rs 45.19 crore and Mahesh Kumar Sharma of BJP from Noida constituency with assets worth Rs 37.45 crore.

Only six candidates have declared assets of less than Rs 1 lakh.

The report also details criminal charges against the candidates. It says that out of the 360 candidates analysed, 128 candidates or 36% declared criminal cases against them. Fifty-two of these candidates have declared serious criminal cases like murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, rape, robbery, extortion etc. The SP has 15, BJP eight, BSP seven, INC five, RLD six, JD(U) four and Peace Party has seven such candidates.

The sixth phase witnesses the least number of graduates in the election as compared to the candidates in other phases. Only 52% candidates(186) are graduates or with more qualification. But the case of women candidates remains the same. Only 85 women (8%) have been given tickets by political parties.

The UPEW and the ADR has come out with such reports before every election so that voters can make an informed choice. The sixth phase of UP assembly election will be held on February 28.