139 candidates with criminal records in fifth phase of Bihar polls

This was found after examining 441 affidavits of the candidates,Kumar Anjesh,state coordinator of NGO ‘National Watch,’ told reporters here.

Of 139 contestants,75 were facing serious criminal charges like murder and attempt to murder,he said.

Claiming that all major parties have given tickets to candidates with pending criminal cases,Anjesh said the RJD topped the list with 65 per cent followed by JD(U) (59 per cent),BJP (54 per cent),Congress (40 per cent),BSP (40 per cent) and LJP (33 per cent).

Three to four women too figured in the list of the candidates with criminal antecedents contesting the elections in the fifth phase,he added.