29 candidates for Kolhapur civic elections have criminal cases lodged against them

Kolhapur: The profile of all 327 candidates contesting the KMC polls shows that political parties have mostly refrained from fielding candidates with criminal backgrounds. However, in several places, across the 20 wards for 81 councillor positions, relatives of local criminals remain in the fray.As many as 29 candidates have criminal cases filed against them. They face allegations ranging from murder, attempted murder, rioting, cheating and other crimes registered across five police stations in Kolhapur city.There are 151 candidates (45%) who have qualified the higher secondary certificate (HSC) examination (12th boards) , while some have studied till secondary school. Very few candidates in the fray have completed graduation. Of them, there are three doctors, six engineers and five law graduates. There also also candidates who have graduated in commerce, and hold a Bachelor of Education degree.With a PhD, one candidate is the most highly qualified among all and the least-qualified candidate have only passed Std III. About 130 candidates are below 40 years of age. A maximum of 172 candidates are in the 41 to 60 years age group. tnn