AAP Tops Criminal Records And BJP's Capt Abhimanyu Leads in Wealth

In a revealing analysis of the upcoming Haryana Assembly elections, a stark contrast has emerged among political parties regarding their candidates' backgrounds. The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has released a report shedding light on the criminal records and financial status of contestants, painting an intriguing picture of the electoral landscape. 

Criminal Records: A Party-wise Breakdown

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has found itself at the top of an unwanted list. With 23 out of 88 candidates (26%) having criminal cases against them, AAP leads the pack in fielding candidates with questionable backgrounds. Even more concerning is that 14 of these candidates face serious charges, including murder, rape, and crimes against women and children. 

Other parties show varying degrees of candidates with criminal records:

• Congress: 17 out of 88 (19%)
• Indian National Lok Dal: 9 out of 50 (18%) 
• Jannayak Janta Party: 7 out of 64 (11%) 
• Bahujan Samaj Party: 3 out of 33 (9%) 
• Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): 6 out of 90 (7%) 

Overall, out of 1,028 candidates analyzed, 133 (13%) are facing criminal cases. This marks a slight increase from the 2019 elections, where 10% of candidates had declared criminal cases against them. 

The Wealth Factor: Richest Candidates and Those with Nothing 

At the other end of the spectrum, the report highlights the vast wealth disparities among candidates. BJP's Capt Abhimanyu, contesting from Narnaund, emerges as the wealthiest candidate with assets totaling Rs 491.48 crore. His portfolio includes substantial investments in bonds, shares, and mutual funds worth Rs 402.49 crore. 

Close behind is Congress' Rohtas Singh from Sohna, with assets valued at Rs 484.87 crore. Interestingly, despite his immense wealth, Singh doesn't own a car but possesses significant land holdings in Gurugram worth Rs 261.26 crore.= In stark contrast, five candidates have declared zero assets. These include Manish from Akhil Bhartiya Kisan Majdoor Party and Independent candidate Aabid Khan, both of whom are relying on donations and borrowed resources for their campaigns.

Education and Background of Candidates

The educational background of candidates presents an interesting mix:

• 48% are graduates or above  
• 47% have education levels between 5th and 12th standard
• 26 are diploma holders
• 8 are just literate, while 15 are illiterate 

The Bigger Picture

This report by ADR raises important questions about the quality of candidates being fielded by various parties. The high number of candidates with criminal backgrounds, particularly in AAP, is a cause for concern. It also highlights the vast economic disparities among candidates, with some possessing hundreds of crores in assets while others have nothing to their name. 

As Haryana prepares to go to the polls, voters will need to weigh these factors carefully. The presence of candidates with criminal records and the extreme wealth disparities could potentially influence the electoral process and subsequent governance.