Knowing our legislators ....!!!

What do we know about our MPs? Some of us may know an individual MP or two. We know that some of them are rich and others have criminal cases against them. But we do not have a total picture of the backgrounds of the MPs who constitute the august body of persons that enacts our laws and policies. What are their strengths and vulnerabilities? Will their capabilities, backgrounds and past conduct be an aid or hindrance in the effective discharge of their duties? How do the MPs from the different political parties and states measure up in terms of these attributes?



The overall picture

• Over 50% of the MPs have assets of over Rs. 50 lakhs.
• A larger proportion of our less educated MPs are richer than their well schooled counterparts.
• More among the richer MPs have more criminal cases than those with higher educational attainments.
• Women MPs possess higher education levels than their male counterparts, but they account for only eight per cent of the total.
• Younger MPs have higher education levels than the rest, but they are only a minority.
• Four states, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand account for over 50% of all MPs with criminal cases that could attract severe penalties (5 years’ imprisonment or more).
• The two communist parties and DMK have the largest proportion of senior MPs aged 66 years and above...!!