PANAJI: The amount of MLA with serious criminal cases against them more than doubled since 2007, showed a study by the Association for Democratic Reform (ADR).
In a 10-year period between 2007 and 2017, more than a quarter of selected legislators had a criminal background.
Data issued by ADR shows that 11 of the 40 MLA chosen in 2017 has a criminal case registered against them.
Of these, nine have serious cases registered with them, including crimes against women.
In 2007, nine MLA had a police case registered with them, but there were no cases that were “serious”.
The serious criminal case is a violation that is not rovable such as kidnapping, rape, sexual attack, attempts to murder, with more than five years in prison.
In 2012, 12 MLA had a criminal case against them with two MLAs having serious accusations registered against them.
That number rose to 11th in 2017 and they were all in the commotion for the election of February 14, looking for another opportunity to become a member of parliament in Goa.
“Of the three doctors, four advocates, five freedom fighters from 28 MLA Goan in 1963-64, if we have 11 criminals from 40 in 2022, then of course there is something wrong with the community in general,” said Country Coordinator for ADR , Bhasker Assoldekar.
From nine MLA on charges of serious crimes, five of them came from BJP while both of them came from the Congress Party.
The remaining two are allegedly involved in serious crimes from NCP and GFP.
The Election Commission said it would be mandatory for political parties to upload details of candidates with criminal cases on their website.
The parties must also quote reasons to nominate candidates with criminal necks in the upcoming assembly selection.
“Unfortunately, what happens in Goa, is that the number of criminals who enters the assembly increases and this must be a matter of concern for the right-minded goans,” Assoldekar said.