An analysis of the affidavits of candidates in fray for both phases of the Gujarat assembly polls has revealed that 38 Congress candidates face serious criminal charges.

This, the analysis shows, is a 10 per cent rise in candidates with serious criminal charges when compared to the party's candidates for the 2012 assembly polls.

The Congress's percentage went from 12 per cent to 22 per cent, said the analysis conducted by two NGOs -- Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch (GEW).

In 2012, 21 Congress candidates out of 171, that is 12 per cent, were facing such serious charges.

This time, as many as 38 candidates out of 174 candidates, that is 22 per cent, are facing such charges, the analysis showed.

The Bharatiya Janata Party's percentage, at 13 per cent, has remained the same, the NGOs said.

In the polls of 2012, out of total 180 candidates analysed, 24 BJP candidates were facing serious charges, said the comparative analysis released today.

This time, out of the total 175 BJP candidates analysed, 23 candidates are facing charges related to murder, attempt to murder, robbery, abduction and rape.  -- PTI