Karnataka polls 2013: Candidates facing criminal charges in fray

Zee Media Bureau

Bangalore: The upcoming Assembly elections in Karnataka include scores of candidates who are reportedly facing serious criminal charges, including that of rape and murder. Out of the 2,948 candidates observed from six major political parties, 1,052 are facing criminal charges, according to Karnataka Election Watch (KEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), as per a newspaper report. These candidates have mentioned the criminal charges slapped against them in the affidavits submitted by them to the Election Commission and the analyses has been made from the same, the report states. The candidates examined are reportedly from six major political parties like BJP, Congress, JD(S), KJP, BSR Congress and Lok Satta Party (LSP), while some are independents. They are facing criminal charges of varying degrees, including attempt to murder, murder and rape. Some of these candidates include Horticulture Minister and BJP candidate from Davangere South, SA Ravindranatha who faces murder charge, and Valmiki Naik (BJP) from Chittapur is accused of attempt to murder, as per the report.