Gujarat elections: 'Crorepatis' in fray

Gandhinagar, Nov 26: Gujarat Energy Minister Saurabh Dalal, who has filed his nomination from Botad constituency, tops the list of millionaire candidates who are contesting the State Assembly elections.

Mr Dalal's assets total Rs 66 crore, including Rs 43 crore assets owned by his wife, who is closely related with the Ambani family.

His Congress rival Chandravadan Pithawala, a businessman in Botad near Bhavangar, has property worth only Rs 4.5 crore, including cash, bank deposits, shares-debentures, insurance policies, jewellery, vehicles, houses and plots of land.

Congress nominee from Surat City (West) Ashok Shah has declared assets worth Rs 9.6 crore, while his BJP opponent Kishore Vankawala has assets worth just Rs 520,000.

BJP rebel-turned-Congressman Dhiru Gajera, who hails from a diamond business family of Surat, has amassed wealth of Rs 2.2 crore. Kirit Patel, BJP canddiate from Olpad near Surat, has declared assets worth Rs 2.3 crore.

The actual number of ''crorepatis'' contesting the elections will, however, be known only after December two -- the last day of withdrawal in the second phase of the Gujarat elections.

UNI