According to a report published by National Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 36% of the total number of MLAs in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly have declared criminal cases against them. 26% of the MLAs have serious cases pending against them including cases related to murder and attempt to murder etc. The report had analysed 402 MLAs out of a total of 403.
The report shows that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) fielded the maximum number of candidates with criminal cases pending against them in the 2017 UP Assembly elections leading with 38%. BSP also has the maximum number of MLCs (33%) having criminal cases pending against them followed by SP having 24%.
It also gives data about the criminal records of candidates fielded by political parties in 2014 Lok Sabha elections. As per the report, CPI(ML)L was the leading party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections having fielded 55% candidates from Uttar Pradesh with pending criminal cases. CPI(ML)L was followed by SP with 46% candidates and BSP with 44% such candidates.
The report also gives out the details of the financial assets of candidates from Uttar Pradesh who contested in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. It reveals that out of total 1259 Lok Sabha candidates form Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, 413 i.e. 33% were millionaires compared to 17% millionaire candidates in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. There were only 111 women candidates which made out only 11% of the total number of candidates.