As many as 122 winners of the Karnataka assembly elections, that is to say, more than half of the 224 MLAs, have declared criminal background, according to an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The ADR went through the affidavits of the 223 winning candidates. The lone candidate left out was Kelachandra Joseph George of INC from Sarvagnanagar constituency, as affidavits on the Election Commission of India (ECI) website were not “clear and complete”.

For the detailed ADR report, please check:
https://adrindia.org/content/analysis-criminal-background-financial-education-gender-and-other-details-winning-13

In 2018, out of the 221 MLAs analysed, only 77 (35%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.

As for serious criminal cases, this time, 71 (32%) winning candidates have declared such cases against themselves. In 2018, this figure was 54 (24%).

One winner has a case related to murder against him, and three have declared cases of attempt to murder.

Seven new MLAs have declared cases related to crimes against women; one of them has declared case related to rape.

In terms of party-wise break-up, 78 (58%) out of 134 winning candidates from INC, 34 (52%) out of 66 winning candidates from BJP, 9 (47%) out of 19 winning candidates from JD(S) and 1 (100%) Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha winning candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

As for serious criminal cases, 40 (30%) out of 134 winning candidates from INC, 23 (35%) out of 66 winning candidates from BJP, 7 (37%) out of 19 winning candidates from JD(S) and 1 (100%) Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha winning candidates have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

Financial Background

Crorepati Winning candidates: 217 (97%) winning candidates are crorepatis. In 2018, the number was not much different – 215 (97%).   

Party-wise crorepati winning candidates: 132 (99%) out of 134 from INC, 63(96%) out of 66 from BJP, 18 (95%) out of 19 from JD(S), 1 (100%) from Sarvodaya Karnataka Paksha, 1 (100%) from Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and 2 (100%) Independent winning candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.

Average assets: The average of assets per winning candidates is Rs 64.39 crore. The average of assets per MLA in the 2018 elections was Rs 34.59 crore.

Other Background Details

Education: 79 (35%) winning candidates have declared their educational qualification to be between 5th pass and 12th pass, while 139 (62%) winning candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate and above. Five are diploma holders.

Age: 64 (29%) winning candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 50 years while 156 (70%) winning candidates have declared their age to be between 51 and 80 years. Three are more than 80 years old.

Gender: Out of the 223 winning candidates analysed, 10 (5%) are women. In 2018, out of 221 MLAs, 7 (3%) MLAs were women.

Number of re-elected MLAs: 93

Average assets of re-elected MLAs in 2023: Rs 71.52 crore (2018: Rs 42.48 crore)