04-10-2009, 12:48 AM
<b>34 Lok Sabha candidates in Andhra have criminal record: Study</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->'Out of 315 contestants fighting for 22 seats, 34 have pending criminal charges against them, many of them very serious. Candidates with generous means have given transparency a complete go-by by not disclosing their income tax, PAN in the affidavits,' the survey revealed.
'The careful analysis of the affidavits has revealed that a large number of candidates have not given valuations of their assets (like vehicles, gold, land, buildings etc) which is in complete violation of the judgement of the Supreme Court of 2003,' said the statement.
'The number of contestants with assets worth more than Rs.10 millions stands at 64 (out of the 315). This points to a very clear trend of growing money power in politics among parties across the spectrum,' it added.
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'The careful analysis of the affidavits has revealed that a large number of candidates have not given valuations of their assets (like vehicles, gold, land, buildings etc) which is in complete violation of the judgement of the Supreme Court of 2003,' said the statement.
'The number of contestants with assets worth more than Rs.10 millions stands at 64 (out of the 315). This points to a very clear trend of growing money power in politics among parties across the spectrum,' it added.
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