Filthy rich; Punjab politicos are worth Rs 200 crore

Chandigarh, Jan 12: It is revelation time for politicians in the state to unveil the riches they hold as per the mandatory rule by the Election commission. It has now emerged that top political leaders in Punjab alone are worth Rs 200 crore.

The stunning truth was revealed when the politicos submitted the affidavits with regards to their assets along with the nomination filings. The Assembly elections are slated o be held in Punjab on Jan 30.

As per the affidavit, ruling Shiromani Akali Dal President and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has declared assets of over Rs 76 crore; while his wife and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, is worth another Rs.15.38 crore. Sukhbir is contesting for the Jalalabad assembly seat from the border district of Ferozepur.

With the information not coming as a surprise for many in Punjab, the whopping amount of Rs 91.38 crore is the net worth of the Badal family alone. The surprising fact is that in spite of the riches, they do not own a car. The only vehicle they have in their name is a tractor.

Among the assets that the Badals hold are two super-luxury hotels in Gurgaon city close to New Delhi. The latest acquisition of the Badals is managed by the Oberoi group and is reputed to be top-class in its category.

Punjab’s Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, 84 is considered the poorest member of the Badal family with declared assets worth Rs 7 crore. He is the father of Sukhbir Singh Badal. The senior Badal is contesting for the Lambi assembly seat against his younger brother Gurdas Badal of the Peoples Party of Punjab (PPP) and first cousin Mahesinder Singh Badal of the Congress.

Sukhbir's brother-in-law, Bikram Singh Majithia, who is also the sitting legislator from Majitha near Amritsar, has declared assets worth of Rs.11.21 crore. Former Chief Minister and Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh, who is contesting from his traditional Patiala assembly seat, has declared assets of Rs.45.74 crore.

Another important name in the election scene is cricketer-turned-politician and Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife, Navjot Kaur Sidhu. She has declared assets worth Rs.2.38 crore. With the list of insane riches emerging from Punjab, another Congress candidate from Jalandhar-north and former minister Avtar Henry has declared assets of nearly Rs.14 crore.

OneIndia News