In a recent analysis conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), DK Shivakumar, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, emerged as the wealthiest Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in India. His declared assets amount to a staggering ₹1,413 crore. However, the report also highlights a surprising revelation, with a BJP MLA from West Bengal declaring a meager ₹1,700 in assets.
The ADR report examined the self-sworn affidavits of 4,001 sitting MLAs from 28 state assemblies and two Union Territories. It found that the average asset per MLA stands at ₹13.63 crore, with MLAs having declared criminal cases possessing higher average assets (₹16.36 crore) compared to those without criminal cases (₹11.45 crore).
The list of top ten MLAs with the highest assets includes prominent names like K H Puttaswamy Gowda from Karnataka, Priyakrishna from Congress, and N. Chandrababu Naidu from Andhra Pradesh. These MLAs possess substantial assets ranging from ₹668 crore to ₹1,413 crore.
On the other end of the spectrum, the report also highlights MLAs with the lowest declared assets. Nirmal Kumar Dhara, a BJP MLA from West Bengal, tops this list with assets totaling just ₹1,700. Other MLAs from various states, including Odisha, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra, also have relatively low asset declarations.
Additionally, the report identifies MLAs with the highest declared liabilities. Priyakrishna from Congress leads this category with declared assets of ₹1,156 crore and liabilities of ₹881 crore. Other MLAs from Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka also feature prominently on this list, illustrating the significant financial responsibilities carried by some elected representatives.
The ADR report sheds light on the disparities in wealth and liabilities among MLAs across India, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and scrutiny in the political landscape. The financial profiles of elected representatives play a crucial role in understanding their influence and potential conflicts of interest while serving their constituencies.
Sources By Agencies
