Karnataka Elections 2023: Five richest candidates in the fray

Karnataka is all set to witness a triangular contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Opposition Congress and the Janata Dal (Secular).

A total of 2,613 candidates are fighting the Karnataka assembly election 2023. The Association for Democratic Reform (ADR), a non-governmental organisation that works towards electoral and political reforms has released a report identifying the richest candidates in the Karnataka election.

Nearly half of the candidates or 1,087 out of 2,586, are crorepati, according to data analysed by the ADR. In the 2018 Karnataka assembly elections, out of 2,560 candidates, 883 (35 per cent) were crorepatis.

Both the Congress and the BJP are neck and neck in fielding rich candidates, with 97 per cent and 96 per cent crorepatis in their candidate lists respectively.

With voting just a week away, here's a look at the richest candidates contesting the Karnataka elections.

Yousuf Sharif

According to the ADR survey, Yousuf Sharif alias KGF Babu is the richest candidate in the fray. Contesting as an independent from Chickpet constituency in Bengaluru city, he has assets worth Rs 1,634 crore approximately.

MTB Nagaraj

Next to Sharif is sitting BJP minister N Nagaraju alias MTB Nagaraj who is fighting from Hoskote in Bengaluru rural district. Nagaraju has declared assets of Rs 1,610 crore approximately.

DK Shivakumar

The seven-time MLA and Karnataka Congress chief, D.K. Shivakumar has declared assets worth Rs 1,358 crore, making him the third richest candidate in the fray. The Congress leader's assets saw 68 per cent growth in the last five years. D.K Shivakumar, referred to as 'Kanakapura Bande' by his admirers will be contesting against BJP leader R Ashoka this time.

Priya Krishna

Priya Krishna, who is contesting on the Congress ticket from Govindarajanagar constituency in Bengaluru South has the highest liabilities of Rs 881 crore, though he is the fourth wealthiest candidate with assets of Rs 1,156 crore. He also has disputed liabilities of Rs 65 crore.

Suresha BS

Congress leader Byrathi Suresh, a close associate of former chief minister Siddaramaiah has declared assets amounting to Rs 648 crore. He is contesting from Hebbal constituency from where he got elected in 2018.