Shiv Sena fields most with criminal past for polls: ADR

The shocking aspect of the 70 candidates analysed is that, of them, 34 (that is nearly half) had declared a total of 224 criminal cases against themselves in their previous election affidavits - but were still re-nominated for the polls.

As far as serious crimes like murder and kidnapping are concerned, Shiv Sena tops the list with 50 percent candidates having declared serious criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits, ADR said.

Five out of 13 (38 percent) candidates of the NCP, seven out of 32 (22 percent) candidates of the BJP and one of six (17 percent) candidates of the AIADMK have declared serious criminal cases against themselves, it said.

Four candidates, according to ADR, have cases of murder and attempt to murder declared in their previous election affidavits while one, Kirit Somaiya of the BJP, has declared a case of dacoity against himself.

Three candidates declared cases related to kidnapping in their previous election affidavits. They belong to the NCP, Shiv Sena and include BJP's well known face Gopinath Munde.