Interestingly, smaller parties such as AMMK and DMDMK, along with several micro-parties have reported 100% crorepati candidates.

With just two days to go for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026, a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Tamil Nadu Election Watch has revealed the wealthiest candidates in the fray this year. According to the report, there is a significant increase in the wealth of candidates, and a notable number of them have criminal charges against them too.

Wealth surge in the fray

After reviewing 3,992 affidavits out of 4,023 candidates, the wealth of candidates has risen sharply. The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections 2026 is Rs 5.17 crore, while in 2021, it was Rs 1.72 crore.

Out of the candidates analysed, 981 (25 per cent) are crorepatis, while 22 (0.55%) are billionaires, meaning they have assets worth Rs 100 crore. Overall, candidates have reported assets totaling nearly Rs 20,678 crore, highlighting the extent of money involved in this election.

Among the major parties, two (seven per cent) out of 28 candidates analysed from the INC, seven (four per cent) out of 175 candidates analysed from the DMK, three (two per cent) out of 170 candidates analysed from the AIADMK, one (6 per cent) out of 18 candidates analysed from the Pattali Makkal Katchi, one (nine per cent) out of 11 candidates analysed from the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam and eight (three per cent) out of 231 candidates analysed from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam have declared assets valued more than Rs 100 crore.

Richest candidates in the race

At the top of the list is AIADMK’s Leemarose Martin, contesting from Lalgudi, with declared assets exceeding Rs 5,800 crore, by far the wealthiest candidate in the state.

Martin is followed by C. Joseph Vijay from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Ooty, who has declared assets worth Rs 648 crore. Aadhav Arjuna, also from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in Kattumannarkoil, has assets worth Rs 534 crore.

ADR reports that 22 candidates have assets over Rs 100 crore, making up a small but powerful group of ultra-rich contenders.

TVK leads in billionaire count

A significant point from the report is the rise of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as a wealthy party. The party, led by actor-turned-politician Vijay, has nominated 8 billionaire candidates, the most of any party, even though it is relatively new to electoral politics.

Crorepatis across parties

Overall, about 25% of candidates i.e. 981 out of 3,992 — are crorepatis with assets above Rs 1 crore. Additionally, while DMK has 97% of its candidates in the crorepati category, AIADMK has 94% of its candidates declaring assets above Rs 1 crore.

Interestingly, smaller parties such as AMMK and DMDMK, along with several micro-parties have reported 100% crorepati candidates.

Meanwhile, at least four candidates -- Mohan Kumar M (All India Jananayaka Makkal Kazhagam), and Indpendent candidates T Selvaraj, Gunasekaran P and A Jegan Salamondoss -- have declared zero assets.

Do richest candidates have criminal record

According to the ADR report overall, 18% of candidates i.e. 722 individuals have declared criminal cases. Among the richest, Aadhav Arjuna has declared pending criminal cases, including serious charges