52 new Odisha legislators have criminal past

Fifty-two of Odisha's newly-elected 147 legislators have criminal background, an election watchdog said Monday.

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) tops the list of tainted assembly members, with 32 of its 117 legislators having criminal charges against them.

Nine of the 16 Congress legislators and eight of 10 Bharatiya Janata Party lawmakers have a criminal past.

There are at least 23 BJD, eight Congress and seven BJP legislators among them who have faced serious charges like attempt to murder, robbery, dacoity and kidnapping, Election Watch state coordinator Ranjan Mohanty told IANS.

Election Watch based its information on the affidavits filed by the leaders with the Election Commission.

There are also six legislators who have cases of crimes against women, Mohanty said.

The outgoing assembly had 48 members with criminal cases against them.