Bihar Elections have entered the spotlight after Bihar Election Watch released a report revealing shocking data on candidates’ criminal backgrounds. The analysis, done by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), found that 164 of Bihar’s 243 assembly seats are on red alert.
ADR marks a seat as red alert when three or more candidates face criminal cases. No district in Kosi-Seemanchal or Eastern Bihar escaped inclusion, though a few constituencies avoided the list.
In Bhagalpur district, six of seven seats — Pirpainti, Sultanganj, Gopalpur, Bhagalpur, Kahalgaon, and Nathnagar — fall under red alert. Across Kosi, Seemanchal, and Eastern Bihar, tainted candidates are contesting 39 of 72 seats.
Other affected districts include Munger, Jamui, Banka, Khagaria, Saharsa, Madhepura, Supaul, Katihar, Purnia, Kishanganj, and Araria. Key red alert constituencies include Kasba, Supaul, Triveniganj, Katihar, Bahadurganj, Jokihat, and Araria.
Out of 2,616 candidates, ADR analyzed 2,600 affidavits, excluding 16 unclear scans. The findings reveal that 838 candidates have criminal cases, while 695 face serious charges. About 32% admitted to having criminal backgrounds, highlighting the deep roots of criminalization in Bihar politics.
