The voting for the first phase of Bihar assembly elections is being held on Wednesday with several candidates having criminal cases against them. The issue of criminalization of politics in the country has always been a matter of serious concern but with little action on it. Almost all political parties field candidates with a criminal background, but still chose to accuse each other of giving them an electoral platform.

In the ongoing electoral challenge, almost all parties have given opportunities to candidates with criminal cases against them. Lalu Prasad's party Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD), which is now led by former deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav in the polls, has fielded 22 (54%) candidates with declared serious criminal cases against them, according to an analysis by election watchdog Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR). This is followed by Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) of late union minister Ramvilas Paswan. The party now headed by his son Chiarg Paswan has fielded 20 (49%) candidates who have self-declared serious criminal cases against them. 

At the third spot is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has given tickets to 13 (45%) candidates with self-declared serious criminal cases. 

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