J&K LS Polls: Among 100 candidates, 29 are Crorepatis while 16 face criminal cases

SRINAGAR — In Jammu and Kashmir, 100 candidates are in the fray for the parliament elections. Among them, 29 candidates are crorepatis while 16 candidates face criminal cases. Among the 16 candidates facing criminal cases, one is an 8th pass candidate who has been facing 10 criminal cases.

The data available from the news agency KNT reveals that three candidates in the fray are illiterate while dozens of candidates mostly independent are lower than the 12th standard qualification.

Almost all the popular candidates except former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are Crorepatis. The total assets of Mehbooba Mufti are over 75 lakhs, Omar Abdullah over 54 lakhs, Sajjad Gani Lone over 20 crores, Syed Rahullah Mehdi over 3.50 crores, Muhammad Ashraf Mir nearly 33 crores, Waheed Para nearly 3 crores, Dr Jitendra Singh Rana nearly 9 crores, Lal Singh 3.50 crores, Jugal Kishor Sharma nearly 8 crores, Raman Bhalla over 9 crores, Zaffar Iqbal Manhas over one crore and Mian Altaf of National Conference nearly 4 crores.

An independent candidate Muhammad Sultan Ganaie in his affidavit has shown assets worth Rs 67 only. Among the total 100 candidates, 59 candidates are contesting elections as independents.