Guwahati: Nearly 40% of the 722 candidates contesting the 126 constituencies in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections have declared assets exceeding Rs 1 crore, according to affidavits filed ahead of the polls.
In total, 285 candidates fall into the ‘crorepati’ category, with the combined declared assets of all contestants amounting to approximately Rs 2,352 crore. The average asset value per candidate stands at Rs 3.25 crore.
The BJP-led North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) and the Congress-led Assam Sanmilito Morcha (ASM) have fielded a comparable number of candidates—127 and 128 respectively, including friendly contests. However, their financial profiles show notable variation.
Among major parties, 88% of BJP candidates have declared assets above Rs 1 crore, followed by the Bodoland People’s Front at 82%, Raijor Dal at 69%, and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) at 53%. The Congress has fielded 61% crorepati candidates.
BJP nominees also report the highest average asset value at Rs 7.01 crore—more than double the overall average across all candidates.
At the individual level, Rahul Roy is the wealthiest candidate, declaring assets worth Rs 261 crore. He is followed by Badruddin Ajmal, contesting from Binnakandi, with assets of Rs 226 crore, and Jayanta Khaund, who has declared Rs 67 crore.
At the other end of the spectrum, Gautam Nath, an independent candidate from Hailakandi, has declared assets of just Rs 400. Two other independent candidates from the same constituency, Dhrubo Chakraborty and Jibon Roy have reported no assets.
Independent candidates make up a significant share of the electoral field, with 258 contestants accounting for 36% of the total, reflecting a strong presence of non-party entrants in the fray.