15 tainted MLAs in Delhi assembly

The newly elected Delhi assembly will have as many as 15 tainted legislators, with the maximum from the ruling Congress party.

The newly elected Delhi assembly will have as many as 15 tainted legislators, with the maximum from the ruling Congress party.

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These 15 legislators are accused of criminal offences punishable with imprisonment for two years or more, according to the affidavits submitted by them during nomination for Delhi assembly elections held Nov 29.

The list of charges against these legislators include heinous crimes like murder, kidnapping, forgery and rioting.

The highest number of tainted legislators (8) are from the Congress party that registered a record third time victory in the national capital.

The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party has four members against whom criminal proceedings are pending. There is a tainted legislator each from the Lok Jan Shakti Party and Bahujan Samaj Party while one is an independent candidate.

Overall 91 candidates with pending criminal cases had contested the Delhi assembly polls this time, a study conducted by Delhi Election Watch (DEW) said.

While the BJP and the Congress each had 19 candidates with criminal record, BSP had 15 such candidates.

The Congress won 42 seats in the 70-member Delhi assembly, while the BJP had to be content with 23 seats. The Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) won two seats while the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) bagged one.