Know how MLAs with criminal cases won big in this State

Crorepatis & candidates with criminal backgrounds dominated the hustings for the Andhra Pradesh assembly, an analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed. As per the report, 62% of Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with declared criminal cases & 60% who are crorepatis won with vote shares of 50% or above in the elections held in May this year.

In most cases, runners-up to Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with criminal charges, have a clean background. On the other hand, 20 Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with a clean background have won against candidates with declared criminal cases. However, the victory margins of Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) with clean backgrounds are relatively less.

92 Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) had declared criminal cases while 163 Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are crorepati candidates. 11 out of the 163 Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) won against non-crorepati candidates, the rest meanwhile, emerged victorious against other crorepatis. 7 non-crorepati candidates won against a richer runner-up. Overall, 103 elected legislators won with 50% of total votes in their constituency while 72 Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) got a share of less than 50%. The analysis revealed that among the 175 Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) , 14 are women, & all of them won with more than 40 % share in their constituencies.

“Violation of model code of conduct such as violations in pasting posters, use of mikes cann't be considered criminal cases. Indian Penal Code (IPC) offences are serious. Cops are not booking the contestants under 171 Indian Penal Code (IPC) for luring the voters with money. This comes under corrupt practices. In several cases, no severe sections are applied,” Forum for Good Governance Secretary M Padmanabha Reddy told. He added that the parties are also selecting only winning horses who are capable of spending crores of rupees to lure voters & influence the election process.

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