Assam: Naren Sonowal richest candidate in 1st phase of polls; Anupam Chutia poorest

GUWAHATI: 39% of the candidates who will be contesting in the first phase of the Assam Assembly elections are crorepatis, according to a report by the poll rights group Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

 

While MLA Naren Sonowal, who will again contest the polls from Naharkatia in 2021 on an AGP ticket, is the richest among the candidates (with declared assets worth Rs. 33 crore, Anupam Chutia, SUCI(C) from Lakhimpur, is the 'poorest' candidate with assets worth 'only' Rs. 15,000.

 

Suresh Bhumijm, an Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) candidate who will contest from Doom Dooma, has declared assets worth Rs. 24,000.

 

This information came to light after the Assam Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analyzed the self-sworn affidavits of 259 out of 264 candidates, who are contesting in the Assam Assembly Elections Phase-I across 47 Upper Assam constituencies.

 

The analysis revealed that 101 of the candidates have declared assets worth over Rs. one crore.

Among the major parties, 9 (90%) out of 10 candidates analyzed from AGP, 31 (72%) out of 43 candidates analyzed from Congress, 28 (72%) out of 39 candidates analyzed from BJP, and 15 (37%) out of 41 candidates analyzed from Assam Jatiya Parishad have declared assets worth over Rs. one crore before the polls.

 

The average of assets per candidate contesting in the Assam Assembly Elections 2021 Phase I is Rs 1.84 crore.

 

The average assets per candidate for 43 Congress candidates analyzed is Rs. 3.54 crores, 41 Assam Jatiya Parishad candidates analyzed is Rs 1.23 crore, 39 BJP candidates have average assets of Rs 3.64 crores, 10 AGP candidates have average assets of Rs 6.71 crores, 6 JD (U) candidates have average assets of Rs 8.57 Lacs and 5 NCP candidates have average assets worth Rs. 24.62 lakhs.

132 (51%) candidates have declared liabilities in their affidavits. Bhaskar Jyoti Baruah, who will contest from Titabor, has assets worth over Rs. 6 crores.

 

It is pertinent to mention here that 16% of the candidates contesting in the first phase of Assam assembly elections have declared criminal cases against themselves.

 

Elections to the 126-member Assam assembly will be held in three phases on March 27, April 1 and April 6.