At a time when criminalisation of politics evokes sharp reactions all-around, the Odisha Assembly will witness a marginal increase in number of members having criminal background.
In 147-member-strong State Assembly, 52 candidates, who have declared criminal cases pending against them, have been elected in 2014 in comparison to 48 in 2009.
According to Odisha Election Watch, out of the 52 winners, who have declared criminal cases, 41 have declared serious criminal cases. These include attempt to murder, rape, kidnapping and crimes against women.
“If an offence for which maximum punishment is of 5 years or more, non-bailable, electoral offence and offence related to loss to exchequer are considered serious offences. Obviously, offences related to assault, murder, kidnap and rape would be bracketed in serious crimes,” said OEW State Coordinator Ranjan Mohanty.
As far as party-wise criminal cases is concerned, 32 out of 117 winners from BJD have declared criminal cases against them while 9 out of 16 winners from the Congress and 8 out of 10 winners from the BJP have mentioned criminal cases in their affidavits.
Eight winners have declared attempt to murder related cases in their affidavits, while three winners are facing robbery and dacoity charges. Four newly elected legislators are having charges of kidnapping pending against them. Six winners have declared cases of crimes against women.
Mr. Mohanty said 218 candidates with serious criminal cases lost the election in 2014 Odisha Assembly elections.
Although the list of criminal cases pending against George Tirkey, who has won from Biramitrapur assembly segment in Sundargarh district on Samata Kranti Dal ticket, is long, he has already clarified that police have implicated him in false cases for his involvement in public agitations.
Mr. Tirkey is facing 22 different cases in which he has been charged with issuing criminal intimidation, attempt to murder, dacoity, rioting by armed with deadly weapons and criminal trespass. He is followed by Brajakishore Pradhan, who has registered victory in Talcher assembly constituency, with 14 cases.
