At least 129 candidates figuring in the second and third phases of Bihar Assembly elections face serious criminal cases like murder, dacoity and extortion, voluntary groups have claimed.
After analysing affidavits of 503 candidates for the two phases, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW) said 129 of them faced serious charges, while 90 others had cases less serious in nature.
All major political parties in the fray have fielded candidates with criminal cases against them, the organisations claimed. Fifteen out of 21 LJP candidates in the two phases have criminal cases pending against them.
In BJP, 24 out of 35 and in JD (U) has 33 out of 50 aspirants face such cases. Similarly, in RJD, 40 out of 63 and in BSP 29 out 77 nominees fall in that category. Of the 80 candidates fielded by Congress, 25 face criminal charges, they said.