A report prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the Odisha Election Watch on Saturday said that out of the 37 candidates who have filed nominations for four parliamentary seats that are going to polls in the first phase on May 13, seven candidates have criminal cases pending against them.
Of the seven, six have cases like criminal conspiracy, murder, attempt to murder, cheating, crime against women and bribe taking pending against them.
The ADR report also revealed that while three candidates have not passed the High School Certificate (HSC) examinations, one has not gone to any school. Besides, seven have studied up to HSC, five up to Plus Two, 10 up to graduation and two are PhDs.
Besides, 17 candidates are crorepatis. The richest among them is BJP’s Kalahandi Lok Sabha seat candidate Malvika Keshari Deo, who possesses assets worth Rs 41.89 crore. On the contrary, SUCI’s Koraput Lok Sabha candidate Pramila Pujari is the poorest with assets valued at Rs 20,625, said the report.
