A recent ADR report reveals a striking wealth disparity among India’s MLAs. BJP’s Parag Shah from Mumbai tops the list with a staggering Rs 3,383 crore in assets, while West Bengal’s Nirmal Kumar Dhara holds assets worth Rs 1,700. The study, based on 4,092 affidavits, highlights Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as hubs of affluent legislators. DK Shivakumar of Congress trails Shah with Rs 1,413 crore, and Andhra Pradesh boasts multiple entries in the top ten, including former CMs Naidu and Reddy.
State-wise, Karnataka’s MLAs collectively possess the highest wealth at Rs 14,179 crore, followed by Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Conversely, Tripura’s MLAs have the lowest total assets at Rs 90 crore. The average assets per MLA present a similar picture, with Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka leading, while Tripura, West Bengal, and Kerala fall at the bottom.
The total wealth of all MLAs, Rs 73,348 crore, surpasses the combined budgets of several northeastern states, showcasing the significant financial power held by elected representatives. Notably, BJP MLAs hold the largest share of assets among political parties. This report underscores the vast economic diversity within India’s political landscape, raising questions about representation and resource distribution.
A significant 45 per cent of India’s state assembly members—1,861 out of 4,092—have declared criminal cases against themselves. Of these, 1,205 MLAs (29 per cent) face serious charges, including those related to violent crimes and offenses against women.
Andhra Pradesh leads with the highest percentage of MLAs facing criminal charges (79 per cent), followed closely by Kerala and Telangana (both 69 per cent). When focusing on serious criminal cases, Andhra Pradesh again tops the list with 56 per cent of its MLAs implicated.
The TDP has the highest proportion of MLAs with criminal cases (86 per cent), while the BJP has the largest absolute number of 638 MLAs. Regarding serious charges, the TDP leads with 61 per cent, followed by the SP with 44 per cent; the BJP accounts for 436 MLAs with serious criminal cases. The report highlights a widespread presence of criminal charges among elected officials across various states and political parties. Business Standard