With assets over Rs 163 crore, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu of BJP is the richest chief minister in the northeast and the 43rd richest legislator in the country, while Manipur CM N Biren Singh is lowest ranked in the region, according to a report of the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and the National Election Watch (NEW).
The report compiled with data extracted from affidavits filed by the MLAs prior to contesting their last elections shows that Khandu, 39, a graduate has zero liabilities.
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio (72), also a graduate, whose net worth is over Rs 100 crore less than Khandu is the second richest NE chief minister. Rio's total assets worth over Rs 46 crore places him at 218th spot among the 4001 MLAs out of 4033 across 28 state assemblies and two Union Territories, whose affidavits have been analysed. His liabilities are over Rs 8 lakh.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (52) is the third richest CM in the region and the 589th richest sitting MLA in the country. His net declared assets are worth over Rs 17 crore and has liabilities worth over Rs 3 crore. He has a doctorate degree.
The region's fourth richest CM is Meghalaya's 44-year-old Conrad Sangma. His net assets are worth over Rs 14 crore and has liabilities worth over Rs 24 lakh. Sangma, who is a post-graduate, is the 715th richest MLA in the country.
Close behind Sangma as the region's fifth richest CM is Tripura's 70-year-old Manik Saha, who is a dental surgeon-turned-politician. His net assets worth over Rs 13 crore makes him the country's 723rd richest MLA.
The region's sixth richest CM and the country's 1902nd richest MLA is Zoramthanga (74) of Mizoram. His net assets are worth over Rs 3 crore, has zero liabilities and is a graduate. The former insurgent leader has two cases registered against him.
The region's poorest CM is Manipur's Nongthombam Biren Singh. His rank in the country is 2883. The 61-year-old politician's net assets are worth over Rs 1 crore and has liabilities worth over Rs 1 lakh.