According to the ADR report, out of the 241 winning MLAs of Bihar 2020, 158 (66%) have criminal cases. Apart from this, 194 MLAs are crorepatis. This exposes the deep nexus of crime and money in politics.
As Bihar Assembly elections 2025 approach, the analysis of previous elections is also being done rapidly. Recently the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Bihar Election Watch have released a shocking report on the 2020 assembly elections. According to this report, out of 241 victorious MLAs of Bihar, 158 (about 66%) had criminal cases registered against them, while 194 MLAs are crorepatis. These figures make it clear that the deep nexus of crime and wealth still persists in the politics of Bihar.
Relationship between crime and politics
According to the report, 119 MLAs face serious criminal charges, including cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, rioting and corruption. Murder cases are registered against 16 MLAs alone. Party wise analysis is as follows:
- BJP: 83 MLAs, 41 facing serious criminal cases (49%)
- RJD: 72 MLAs, 43 face serious allegations (60%)
- JDU: 47 MLAs, 13 face serious allegations (28%)
- Congress: 17 MLAs, 9 face serious allegations (53%)
- CPI(ML): 7 out of 11 face serious allegations (64%)
- Us: 1 in 4 (25%)
- CPI(M): 2 out of 2 (100%)
- AIMIM: 1 in 1 (100%)
- Independent: 2 out of 2 (100%)
Experts believe that “clean image” has now become a formality to reach the seat of power.
Number of millionaires and their wealth
The report also revealed that 194 victorious MLAs of Bihar Assembly are crorepatis, with total declared assets of Rs 1121.61 crore.
- Neelam Devi (Mokama) – ₹80 crore
- Manorama Devi (Belaganj) – ₹72 crore
- Ajit Sharma (Bhagalpur) – ₹43 crore
- MLAs with least assets:
- Ram Vikas Sada (Alauli) – ₹70,000
- Gopal Ravidas (Phulwarisharif) – ₹1,00,000+
- Sandeep Saurabh (Paliganj) – ₹3.45 lakh