KOLKATA – West Bengal's upcoming assembly elections are marked by a significant increase in "red alert" constituencies, indicating areas with a high concentration of candidates facing serious criminal charges. A recent report reveals a 17% surge in these critical zones, alongside a worrying trend of 23% of all candidates declared having criminal cases against them in their affidavits.
The report details a substantial presence of candidates with declared criminal cases across major political parties. Specifically, 64% of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates (188 out of 293) and 31% of Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidates (90 out of 290) have acknowledged criminal cases. The Indian National Congress follows with 22% (63 out of 293), and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) with 39% (78 out of 198). The scale of these declarations is notable, with 35 candidates reporting murder charges and 185 facing allegations of attempted murder.
Financial Affiliations and Wealth Declaration
Beyond criminal allegations, the financial profiles of candidates also warrant scrutiny. The analysis shows that 22% of all candidates, totaling 629 out of 2,920 analysed, are "crorepatis," a rise from 18% in the previous election cycle.
Read More: Pope Leo XIV Criticizes Trump's Iran Strike, Trump Responds
The TMC leads in declared wealth, with 72% (209 out of 290) of its candidates declaring assets over Rs 1 crore.
The BJP follows with 49% (143 out of 293).
Both the Congress and CPI(M) stand at 29% with candidates declaring over Rs 1 crore in assets.
Educational Backgrounds
The educational qualifications of candidates present a mixed picture.
49% of candidates (1,419 out of 2,920) have declared graduate or higher education.
A significant portion, 46% (1,354 candidates), fall into the category of having educational qualifications between the 5th and 12th standard.
The remaining candidates hold diplomas, are literate, or illiterate.
Background Context
These figures emerge against the backdrop of the ongoing 2026 Assembly Elections, which span multiple states including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, and Puducherry. The Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly election on March 15, 2026, with various parties releasing candidate lists and campaigning for the upcoming polls. Reports from opinion polls have projected varying outcomes, with some suggesting a retention of power by the TMC in West Bengal, albeit with a reduced seat share, and significant gains for the BJP. Concerns regarding job creation, recruitment processes, and alleged corruption have been central themes in the campaign discourse.
