Madhu Koda, former chief minister, was arrested in 2009 in a disproportionate assets case and later released on bail
With just a couple of days away for the first phase of polling to begin in Jharkhand, the Association for Democratic Reforms has released a survey according to which 92 of 200 candidates in the first phase face criminal charges. The survey also states that 75 among the 200 have not filed their IT returns and 75 of them refusing to disclose their PAN numbers, thus leading to questions of financial impropriety.
The survey confirms the usual narrative in elections in the mineral-rich state. The state has a history of electing leaders with criminal charges.
It begins right from Madhu Koda, a veteran independent politician and a former chief minister. Mr Koda was jailed in 2009 in a disproportionate assets case and was released on bail only in 2013. He is alleged to have involvement in massive money laundering during his tenure as Chief Minister between 2006 and 2008. All of these facts though hardly bothers Mr Koda as he stands for election from Majhgaon once again.
"These allegations are not true. To sabotage my political career, there are so many cases but all are baseless," said Mr Koda in Chaibasa, where he was busy with his election campaign.
When it comes to Mr Koda's ex-colleague in the Jharkhand government and former minister Bandhu Tirkey, the charges are heavier. Apart from facing charges in a disproportionate assets case along with Mr Koda, Mr Tirkey has over 10 criminal cases to his name, including attempt to murder, causing hurt, rioting and assault.
However, he too is ready to run for public office.
Mr Tirkey is contesting on a Trinamool Congress ticket from Mandar and he too shrugs off the charges against him.
"I am least bothered about these allegations. The agencies are investigating anyway. Anything happens, these people try and pin it on me," said Mr Tirkey.
13 of Jharkhand's 81 Assembly constituencies will go to the polls on November 25 in the first phase.