Chennai: Fresh statistics compiled from candidates’ election affidavits indicate that criminal cases are pending against 126 of the 233 MLAs in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Of these, 56 MLAs fall under the “serious criminal cases” category, meaning offences that can attract five years or more of punishment, including murder, attempt to murder, assault, kidnapping, rape, corruption, and crimes against women and children.
The data places actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (Thawega) at the top in terms of MLAs with criminal cases. Out of Thawega’s 107 MLAs, 41 have criminal cases pending. The next highest counts are DMK (37) and AIADMK (33), followed by PMK (4), Congress (3), VCK and MDMK (2 each), and CPI, Muslim League, AMMK and DMDK (1 each).
In the serious-cases list, Thawega again leads with 19 MLAs. DMK and AIADMK have 14 each, while PMK and Congress have two each. CPI, Muslim League, AMMK and DMDK have one MLA each with serious cases.
Overall, the affidavit-based breakup notes that one newly elected MLA has a murder case, six face attempt-to-murder cases, and two face cases related to crimes against women.
The disclosures also show that 193 of the 233 MLAs have assets worth more than ₹1 crore. Within Thawega, 77 of its 107 MLAs are listed as crorepaties, as per their affidavits.
