Over a third of MLAs in Himachal have criminal cases -Governance Now

Over a third of MLAs in Himachal have criminal cases

As many as 52 MLAs, of the total 68, have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore

GN Bureau | December 19, 2017

#ADR #assembly election #Himachal Pradesh #MLAs #criminal cases #assets

(Illustration: Ashish Asthana)

Of the total 68 MLAs in Himachal Pradesh, 22 (32%) have declared criminal cases against them, as against 14 (21%) in 2012 elections. There are 8 MLAs (12%) who have declared serious criminal cases against them. In 2012, five (7%) had declared serious criminal cases against themselves, according to an analysis of the election results of the Himachal Pradesh assembly elections carried out by the Association for Democratic Reforms.

The party wise break up of MLAs facing criminal cases is as follows: two (10%) out of 21 MLAs from Indian National Congress (INC), 18(41%) out of 44 MLAs from Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), one (100%) MLA from CPI (M) and one (50%) out of two Independent MLAs.

The numbers of MLAs having serious criminal cases from the BJP and the Congress are six and one, respectively, the ADR report said.

The ADR found that over 52 MLAs, of the total 68, have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore, constituting 76% of the total assembly. In 2012 assembly elections, 44 (65%) MLAs were crorepatis.

The figures for party wise 'crorepati' MLAs include: 21 (100%) out of 21 MLAs from INC, 28 (64%) out of 44 MLAs from BJP, 1 (100%) MLA from CPI (M), and 2 (100%) independent MLAs.

The average of assets per MLA contesting in the Himachal assembly elections 2017 is Rs 8.88 crore. In 2012, the average assets MLAs analysed was Rs 7.45 crore, the report said. "Among the major parties, the average assets per MLA for 21 INC MLAs is Rs 13.80 crores, 44 BJP MLAs have average assets of Rs 6.14 crores, and 2 Independent MLAs have average assets of Rs. 12.85 Crores," the report said.

Read the complete ADR report here

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