A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms shows that about 17 per cent of newly elected MLAs in Assam have declared criminal cases, while a large majority—85 per cent—are crorepatis.

The analysis is based on affidavits submitted by all 126 winning candidates in the 2026 Assam Assembly elections. It highlights a drop in the number of MLAs with criminal cases compared to 2021, when 27 per cent (34 MLAs) had such cases. This figure has now fallen to 17 per cent, or 21 MLAs.

Among them, 19 MLAs (15 per cent) are facing serious criminal charges. This too marks a decline from 2021, when 28 legislators (22 per cent) had reported serious cases.

Party-wise, the Bharatiya Janata Party has seven MLAs (9 per cent of its 82 winners) with declared criminal cases. The Indian National Congress has a higher share, with nine out of its 19 MLAs (47 per cent) facing such charges.

The All India United Democratic Front has two MLAs with cases, while the All India Trinamool Congress has one. Notably, the Bodoland People’s Front stands out, as none of its 10 MLAs have declared any criminal case.

Serious charges are reported against seven MLAs each from the BJP and Congress, both MLAs of the AIUDF, the lone TMC MLA, one from Raijor Dal, and one from Asom Gana Parishad. The report flags concerns, including three cases of attempt to murder and two related to crimes against women.

On the financial front, the report shows a sharp rise in wealth among legislators. About 85 per cent (107 MLAs) are crorepatis, up from 67 per cent in 2021. Their total declared assets stand at Rs 1,112 crore, with the average assets per MLA rising to Rs 8.82 crore, nearly double the Rs 4.59 crore recorded earlier.

The BJP has the highest proportion of wealthy MLAs, with 90 per cent of its winners being crorepatis. It is followed by the BPF at 80 per cent and the Congress at 74 per cent. All MLAs from the AIUDF, TMC, and Raijor Dal have declared assets of more than Rs1 crore.

Among individuals, AIUDF leader Badruddin Ajmal is the richest, with assets exceeding Rs 226 crore. He is followed by BPF’s Sewli Mohilary with Rs 63 crore, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with Rs 35 crore.

The ADR report, based on sworn affidavits, reflects changing trends in Assam’s legislature, highlighting both a decline in criminal cases and a rise in the wealth of elected representatives.