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Politics and crime remain inextricably linked in Karnataka politics.
In the first list of candidates for the forthcoming assembly elections released recently by the Bharatiya Janata Party, there are 24 leaders with criminal cases registered against them.
The BJP’s political foe Congress party has 16 such candidates in its first list.
An analysis conducted by the National Election Watch states that of the 317 candidates in the BJP and Congress’s lists, 40 have criminal cases against them.
Some of these leaders are facing serious charges.
Congress candidate Eshwara Bhimanna Khandre from Bhalki constituency faces charges related to murder and attempt to murder. His fellow party leader Jarakiholi Satish Laxmanrao faces cases of murder, kidnap and attempt to murder.
BJP candidate Balachandra Jarkhiholi faces charges of murder, kidnapping, attempt to murder
Of the 317 candidates, 113 own assets worth more than Rs one crore.
The Congress boasts of 69 crorepati candidates while the BJP has 44 such candidates.
Congress candidate R V Deshpande from Haliyal constituency has declared assets worth Rs 145.57 crore, M Krishnappa from Vijayanagar constituency has assets worth Rs 129.32 crore and N A Haris from Shantinagar constituency owns assets worth Rs 85.34 crore.
BJP candidate Nandish Reddy has declared assets worth Rs 36.24 crore.