Ahead of the first phase of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, a recent report has once again exposed a troubling reality of electoral politics.
According to an analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms and West Bengal Election Watch, a significant number of candidates in the fray have declared criminal cases against themselves.
Based on the affidavits of 1,475 candidates contesting in the first phase scheduled for April 23, nearly 23 percent have admitted to having criminal cases.
In simple terms, almost one out of every four candidates is facing legal charges—raising serious concerns about the quality of representation in the democratic process.
Major parties field large number of tainted candidates, BJP tops the list
A closer look at major political parties reveals even more striking figures. Bharatiya Janata Party has the highest proportion, with 106 out of 152 candidates (around 70 percent) declaring criminal cases.
The ruling All India Trinamool Congress follows, with 63 out of 148 candidates (43 percent). Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (Marxist) has 43 out of 98 candidates, and Indian National Congress has 39 out of 151 candidates with declared cases.
These numbers highlight a broader trend where “winnability” appears to outweigh clean public image.
Serious criminal charges and ‘red alert’ constituencies raise alarm
The report states that a total of 345 candidates face pending criminal cases, out of which 294 are of a serious nature. These include 19 cases related to murder and 105 cases of attempted murder.
Additionally, 98 candidates are linked to crimes against women, including six accused of rape. Such figures underline the gravity of the issue and its implications for public trust.
Another major concern is the identification of 66 constituencies (about 43 percent) as “red alert” seats—where at least three candidates have declared criminal cases. This significantly limits clean choices for voters.
Wealthy candidates dominate, women’s representation remains low
On the financial front, 309 candidates (21 percent) are करोड़पति (millionaires), with the average declared asset standing at ₹1.34 crore.
Candidates from All India Trinamool Congress have the highest average assets at ₹5.70 crore.
Women’s participation continues to lag behind. Only 167 women are contesting in the first phase, making up just 11 percent of the total candidates—highlighting the persistent gender gap in electoral politics.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
The findings of this report once again suggest that despite judicial directions, political parties continue to prioritize electoral success over clean credentials—posing a serious challenge to the health of democracy.