23% Of Rajasthan MLAs And 61% Of Telangana MLAs Have Criminal Backgrounds

The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), in collaboration with Rajasthan Election Watch and Telangana Election Watch, has released a comprehensive analysis of the criminal backgrounds of sitting Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Rajasthan and Telangana.

The report is based on affidavits submitted by the candidates before the 2018 Assembly elections and subsequent by-elections.

Rajasthan Findings: Out of the 199 sitting MLAs analyzed in Rajasthan, a staggering 46 (23 percent) have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Among these, 28 (14 percent) are facing serious criminal charges. Notably, one sitting MLA has declared cases related to murder (IPC section 302), and four have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC section 307).

Party-wise breakdown of sitting MLAs with criminal cases in Rajasthan:

• Congress: 27 (25 percent) out of 108 MLAs
• Bharatiya Janata Party: 11 (16 percent) out of 69 MLAs
• Communist Party of India (Marxist): Two (100 percent) out of two MLAs
• Independent: Six (43 percent) out of 14 MLAs

Telangana Findings: In Telangana, out of the 118 sitting MLAs analyzed, a significant 72 (61 percent) have declared criminal cases against themselves, and 46 (39 percent) are facing serious criminal charges.

Shockingly, seven sitting MLAs have declared cases related to attempt to murder (IPC section 307), and four of them have declared cases related to crimes against women, including one case related to rape.

Party-wise breakdown of sitting MLAs with criminal cases in Telangana:

• Bharat Rashtra Samithi: 59 (58 percent) out of 101 MLAs
• All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen: Six (86 percent) out of seven MLAs
• Congress: Four (67 percent) out of six MLAs
• Bharatiya Janata Party: Two (100 percent) out of two MLAs
• Independent: One (50 percent) out of two

These findings raise serious concerns about the criminal backgrounds of elected representatives in both states, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the political landscape.

The ADR’s report serves as a crucial resource for voters and policymakers alike, shedding light on the prevalence of criminal cases among sitting MLAs.

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