Guwahati: Fifteen out of the 35 candidates contesting from the five Lok Sabha seats in Assam are crorepatis, an analysis of their affidavits said.
Elections to Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Sivasagar, Kaziranga, and Sonitpur will be held in the first phase on April 19.
Data released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed a multifaceted scenario. Five contenders in the initial phase of elections in Assam faced serious criminal charges.
Moreover, 15 candidates were identified as possessing significant wealth, with assets ranging from millions to hundreds of thousands.
The candidate with the most substantial financial standing emerged from the Kaziranga constituency, where independent candidate Dilwara Begum Chowdhury declared assets worth over Rs 17 crore.
Following closely is Monoj Dhanowar of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), contesting from Dibrugarh constituency, with assets valued at over Rs 9 crore.
Ranjit Dutta, BJP’s candidate from Sonitpur, holds the position of the third wealthiest candidate, boasting assets exceeding Rs 8 crore.
The wealth disparity among candidates was starkly apparent, with individuals like Chowdhury holding substantial assets, while others, like SUCI (C) candidate Pallab Pegu in Lakhimpur, had significantly fewer resources, with an asset value of a mere Rs 38,169.
Political affiliations also played a role, notably with all five BJP candidates identified as wealthy. However, other parties such as Congress, AAP, and independent candidates also fielded affluent contenders.
However, amidst the financial disclosures, legal entanglements marred the campaigns of some candidates.
Criminal cases were registered against five candidates from different constituencies.
AAP’s Sonitpur candidate Rishiraj Koudinya faced seven cases, while two cases each were filed against Premlal Ganju of Congress from Sonitpur and Gaurav Gogoi of Congress.
Additionally, Alom Ali of the Bahujan Maha Party and Sailendra Malakar of the Bharatiya Gana Parishad each faced one case.