StatsGuru: A closer look at the profile of MLAs in Assembly elections

The Association for Democratic Reforms, or ADR, has swiftly come out with an examination of the recently elected Assemblies in Maharashtra and in Haryana. Interestingly, the trend in MLAs with criminal cases is very different in the two states. As Table 1 shows, Maharashtra has seen an increase in the number of MLAs with criminal cases, and with serious criminal cases; Haryana, on the other hand, has shown a decrease.

1: MAHARASHTRA SEES RISE IN MLAs WITH CRIMINAL CASES, HARYANA SEES A FALL | Create Infographics

It is also worth noting from Table 2 that the percentage of Congress MLAs with criminal cases is noticeably lower.

2: PERCENTAGE OF CONGRESS MLAs NOTICEABLY LOWER THAN OTHER PARTIES | Create Infographics

When it comes to economic status, the results are startling. Almost all MLAs, as Table 3 shows, have at least Rs 1 crore in assets. This is the case across parties - with the possible exception of the Lok Dal in Haryana.

3: BUT FOR MLAs FROM HARYANA’S LOK DAL, MOST OTHERS ARE CROREPATIS | Create Infographics

Table 4 makes a further, worrying point: MLAs are far richer than the average candidate. Money is clearly at work in the election process.

4: MLAs ARE MUCH RICHER THAN OTHER CANDIDATES  | Create Infographics

Table 5 shows the party-wise and election-wise break-up of average wealth. There have been big jumps since 2009. Interestingly, while in that election the Congress in Maharashtra had the richest MLAs, Congress' MLAs are notably less rich than the BJP and NCP this time around (but still richer than Shiv Sena).

5: CONGRESS MLAs ARE NO LONGER THE RICHEST IN MAHARASHTRA | Create Infographics

As Table 6 shows, Maharashtra has a higher proportion of MLAs under 40 than does Haryana.

6: MAHARASHTRA HAS HIGHER PROPORTION OF MLAs UNDER 40 THAN HARYANA | Create Infographics

And Table 7 provides a breakdown of education - graduates predominate.

7: GRADUATES FORM THE LARGEST GROUP AMONG CANDIDATES ELECTED IN THE ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS IN BOTH STATES  | Create Infographics

StatsGuru is a weekly feature. Every Monday, Business Standard guides you through the numbers you need to know to make sense of the headlines.

Graphic by: Anisha Dutta