(Image source from: Why tainted candidates get tickets from BJP and Congress})

Inspite of the hullaboo over corruption, the two major political parties – BJP and Congress - in the country have given tickets to candidates with criminal charges. A recent survey by Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch has revealed that 30 % of candidates from Congress and BJP have standing criminal charges filed against them.

The survey further reveals that out of the 30 % facing criminal charges, 13 % has been booked for murder and kidnapping, which are serious criminal charges.

Result of the survey is based on a sample of 280 affidavits of BJP and the Congress candidates, taken from the 469 candidates declared by the two national parties for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

Among the BJP candidates, 35 % have criminal charges pending against them, out of which 17 % face serious charges. While the congress has 27 % candidates who face criminal charges, and 10% out of them face serious charges.

BJP candidate Yeddyurappa has been booked under corruption charges in illegal mining case. The Congress candidate from Chandigarh, Pawan Bansal, had resigned from office following allegations of corruption against his nephew.

When enquired about the tainted candidates, both Congress and the BJP are on the defensive.

While the Congress Spokesperson Salman Soz says that the rule of the land considers a person as innocent unless they are convicted. The BJP does not take the charges seriously. BJP Spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi says that not all the charges booked are real and people need to read between the lines.

(Picture Source: st2.india.com)

(AW: Pratima Tigga)