79 candidates have criminal cases in fourth phase in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: As many as 79 candidates contesting for six Lok Sabha and 41 Assembly seats in fourth phase polls in Odisha have declared criminal cases against them.

According to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch, while seven candidates contesting for the Lok Sabha seats have criminal cases, 72 Assembly candidates have criminal cases.

The fourth phase polls will be held on April 29 for Mayurbhanj, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha constituencies and 41 Assembly segments under them.

Altogether 336 candidates are in the fray for 41 Assembly seats and 52 candidates for six Lok Sabha seats.

The BJP has the highest number of 28 candidates with criminal cases followed by BJD (15) and Congress (12).