Guwahati, March 18: The Assam Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms found in its studies that a total of 41 out of 259 candidates in the fray for the first phase of Assam Assembly elections 2021 have declared criminal cases against themselves.

The highest numbers of cases were registered against Raijor Dal president Akhil Gogoi, who is contesting as Independent from Sivasagar. The study found that 52 cases were registered against Gogoi.

Another Independent candidate from Bokakhat Dulal Bora has 25 cases registered against him.

The data revealed that of the 41 candidates, which is 16 percent of the total, 34 candidates have serious criminal cases registered against them. Two candidates have declared cases related to murder (Section 302 IPC) against themselves.

After analysis of affidavits of 254 candidates, the Assam Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms have published the data after analysing of affidavits of 254 candidates.

“Three out of the 47 as red alert constituencies. Red alert constituencies are those where three or more contesting candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves. They are Bokakhat, Margherita and Biswanath Chariali,” the report said.

The study said among the major parties, 10 out of 43 candidates analysed from Congress, eight out of 41 candidates analysed from Assam Jatiya Parishad, three out of 39 candidates analysed from BJP and one candidate each from NCP, Asom Gana Parishad and SUCI(C)have declared criminal cases against themselves in their affidavits.

As far as serious criminal cases are concerned, nine out of 43 Congress candidates, six out of 41 AJP candidates, three out of 39 BJP candidates and one candidate each from NCP, AGP and SUCI(C) have declared cases against themselves in their affidavits.