In the upcoming phase VI of Lok Sabha elections, a staggering 39% of the total 866 candidates vying for seats are millionaires with an average wealth of ₹6.21 crore, according to data compiled by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).
Out of 866 candidates, 338 are millionaires. Among the political parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stands out with the highest income declared by its candidates. Former MP and Industrialist Naveen Jindal, contesting from the Kurukshetra constituency, leads the pack with assets worth a whopping ₹1,241 crore.
Following Jindal are BJD’s Santrupt Misra and Dr Sushil Gupta, AAP contender against Jindal in Kurukshetra, with declared assets of ₹482 crore rupees and ₹169 crore rupees respectively.
Not-so affluent netas
Highlighting a financial anomaly among candidates contesting in phase VI, some opposition candidates have declared remarkably low assets. For instance, Master Randhir Singh, contesting from Rohatak, has reported a mere ₹2 in assets.
Ram Kumar Yadav of UP’s Pratapgarh constituency has declared assets worth ₹1,686 while North West Delhi (SC) opposition contender Khilkhilakar owns ₹2,000 assets.
Criminal charges
A total of 180 candidates out of 866 are charged with criminal cases. Of these, 141 are embroiled in serious criminal cases, including instances related to murder, underscoring the complex intersection of wealth, power, and legal entanglements in India’s electoral process.
Among the major parties, 5 out of 5 (100%) candidates from AAP, 4 out of 4 (100%) candidates from RJD, 9 out of
12 (75%) candidates from SP, 28 out of 51 (55%) candidates from BJP, 4 out of 9 (44%) candidates from AITC, 2 out of 6 (33%) candidates from BJD and 8 out of 25 (32%) candidates from INC have declared criminal cases against themselves.
Talking about serious criminal charges, 4 out of 4 (100%) candidates from RJD, 4 out of 5 (80%) candidates from AAP, 9 out of 12 (75%) candidates from SP, 18 out of 51(35%) candidates from BJP, 3 out of 9 ( 33%) candidates from AITC, 2 out of 6 (33%) candidates from BJD and 6 out of 25 (24%) candidates from INC face serious criminal charges.
