SHILLONG, FEB 17: Fifty percent out of the 375 candidates for the upcoming Assembly elections are ‘crorepatis’.
Out of the 375 candidates, 186 (50%) are crorepatis, according to the Meghalaya Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all 375 candidates.
In the 2018 assembly polls, out of 370 candidates, 152 (41%) were crorepatis.
233 of the candidates are from national parties, 69 are from state parties, 29 are from registered unrecognized parties and 44 candidates are contesting independently.
According to the MEW and ADR, the role of money power in our elections is evident from the fact that all major political parties give tickets to wealthy candidates.
Among the major parties 43(75%) out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, 30(65%) out of 46 candidates analysed from UDP, 27(48%) out of 56 candidates analysed from AITC, 25(42%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC and 23(38%) out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.
The average of assets per candidate contesting in the upcoming election 2023 is Rs 5.91 Crores. In the 2018, the average asset per candidate for 370 candidates was Rs.3.54 Crores.
The three candidates with the highest declared assets include UDP chief and Mairang legislator Metbah Lyngdoh (146 Crore+), Congress chief and candidate from Sutnga Saipung Vincent H Pala (125 Crore+) and HSPDP candidate from Mawhati Evalyni Kharbani (109 Crore+)
The three candidates with the lowest declared assets include Congress candidate from Amlarem Arbiangkam Kharsohmat (Rs 9,000), RPI (A) candidate from Raksamgre Thosengcheba A. Sangma (Rs 22,000) and BJP candidate from Mairang Mark Rinaldy Sawkmie (Rs 23,461).
Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 60 BJP candidates analysed is Rs. 2.71 Crores, 60 INC candidates analysed is Rs 4.34 Crores, 57 NPP candidates analysed is Rs 10.68 Crores, 56 AITC candidates analysed is Rs 4.95 Crores and 46 UDP candidates have average assets worth Rs.10.50 Crores.
174(46%) candidates have declared liabilities in their affidavits.
The top three candidates with highest liabilities include Metbah Lyngdoh (44 Crore+), UDP candidate from Mawkyrwat and ex-MLA Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar (7 Crore+) and Evalyni Kharbani (4 Crore+).
The top 3 candidates with high income declared in ITR are NPP legislator from Nartiang and cabinet minister Sniawbhalang Dhar (30 Crore+), UDP candidate from Mylliem Mitchel Wankhar (13 Crore+) and UDP candidate from Salmanpara Ronald Rikman Sangma (5 Crore+).
A total of 2(1%) candidates have not declared their PAN details.
Candidates with Criminal Cases:
Out of 375 candidates analyzed, 21 (6%) candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, out of 370 candidates analysed, 25(7%) had declared criminal cases against themselves.
15(4%) have declared serious criminal cases against themselves. In 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, 21(6%) candidates had declared serious criminal cases against themselves.
Among the major parties, 5(8%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 6(11%) out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, 1(2%) out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP and 3 (5%) out of 56 candidates analysed from AITC have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
Among the major parties, 4(7%) out of 60 candidates analysed from INC, 4(7%) out of 57 candidates analysed from NPP, 1(2%) out of 60 candidates analysed from BJP and 2 (4%) out of 56 candidates analysed from AITC have declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.
2 candidates have declared cases related to murder (IPC Section-302) against themselves.
3 candidates have declared cases related to Attempt to murder (IPC Section-307) against themselves.
5 candidates have declared cases related to crime against women. Out of 5 candidates 1 candidate has declared case related to rape (IPC Section-376) and 1 candidate has declared case related to person committing rape repeatedly on the same woman (IPC Section- 376(2)(n)).
The directions of the Supreme Court have had no effect on the political parties in selection of candidates in the Meghalaya Assembly Elections 2023 as they have again followed their old practice of giving tickets to around 6% candidates with criminal cases.
All major parties contesting in Meghalaya elections have given tickets to 2 % to 50 % candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.
The Supreme Court in its directions dated 13th February, 2020 had specifically instructed political parties to give reasons for such selection and why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.
As per these mandatory guidelines, the reasons for such selection has to be with reference to qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned.
During the recent 7 State Assembly elections held in 2022, it was observed that political parties gave unfounded and baseless reasons like popularity of the person, does good social work, cases are politically motivated etc.
These are not sound and cogent reasons for fielding candidates with tainted backgrounds. This data clearly shows that political parties have no interest in reforming the electoral system and our democracy will continue to suffer at the hands of lawbreakers who become lawmakers.
Meanwhile, 132(35%) candidates have declared their educational qualifications to be between 5th and 12th standard while 235 (63%) candidates have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. 7 candidates are Diploma holders and 1 candidate has declared himself to be just literate.
134(36%) candidates have declared their age to be between 25 to 40 years while 215(57%) candidates have declared their age to be between 41 to 60 years. There are 26(7%) candidates who have declared their age to be between 61 to 80 years.
36(10%) female candidates are contesting in the Meghalaya assembly election 2023. In 2018 Meghalaya Assembly Elections, 33(9%) out of 370 candidates analysed were women.
In its recommendation, the ADR said that the role of money and muscle power is evident from the fact that all major political parties in Meghalaya assembly elections 2023 have fielded 33% to 75% candidates who are crorepatis and 2% to 50% candidates who have declared criminal cases against themselves.
This close and alarming nexus between money power and muscle power has got so ingrained in our electoral system that the citizens are left hostage to the current situation.
Money and muscle power hurt the principles of ‘free and fair elections’, ‘participatory democracy’ and ‘level playing field’.
The present circumstances therefore demand an extensive deliberation by the voters so that sanctity of elections is not ridiculed by tenacious entry of tainted candidates and candidates with abnormal multiplication of assets, it said.
By Our Reporter
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