Lok Sabha Elections 5th Phase: 227 Out Of 695 Candidates Are 'Crorepatis', BJP Tops The List

In the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, data from the Association for Democratic Reforms reveals that a significant portion of the candidates are 'crorepatis'. Out of 695 candidates, 227 of them, constituting 33 per cent, have declared assets worth over Rs 1 crore.

Breaking down the figures by political parties, it's evident that wealth is prevalent across the board. Notably, the SP, Shiv Sena, RJD, and the Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar have all fielded candidates where every single one is a 'crorepatis'.

Also, the BJP, Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), AITC, and INC have a high percentage of 'crorepati' candidates within their ranks.

Looking at the average assets per candidate, the figures are equally striking. The candidates representing various major parties boast substantial average assets, with the Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar leading the pack with an average of Rs. 54.64 crore per candidate.

Party-wise Crorepati Candidates:

• SP: 10 out of 10 candidates (100%)
• Shiv Sena: 6 out of 6 candidates (100%)
• RJD: 4 out of 4 candidates (100%)
• Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar: 2 out of 2 candidates (100%)
• BJP: 36 out of 40 candidates (90%)
• Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray): 7 out of 8 candidates (88%)
• AITC: 6 out of 7 candidates (86%)
• INC: 15 out of 18 candidates (83%)
• BJD: 4 out of 5 candidates (80%)
• AIMIM: 2 out of 4 candidates (50%)

Average assets: The average asset per candidate contesting in the Lok Sabha phase V election is Rs. 3.56 crores.

Party-wise average assets:

• Nationalist Congress Party - Sharadchandra Pawar: Rs. 54.64 crores per candidate
• Shiv Sena: Rs. 23.21 crores per candidate
• BJP: Rs. 21.85 crores per candidate
• INC: Rs. 11.96 crores per candidate
• Shivsena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray): Rs. 11.92 crores per candidate
• AITC: Rs. 11.15 crores per candidate
• RJD: Rs. 11.05 crores per candidate
• BJD: Rs. 4.58 crores per candidate
• SP: Rs. 3.93 crores per candidate
• AIMIM: Rs. 2.14 crores per candidate

Wealthiest Candidates
BJP leader Anurag Sharma, running for the Jhansi Lok Sabha seat in Uttar Pradesh, has emerged as the wealthiest candidate in the current electoral race, disclosing assets totalling Rs. 212+ crore. Following closely behind is Nilesh Bhagwan Sambare, vying for the Bhiwandi Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, with assets exceeding Rs. 116+ crore. Piyush Goyal, the BJP's candidate for Mumbai North, secures the third spot on the list, boasting assets valued at over Rs. 110 crore.

On the other end of the spectrum, candidates with notably lower asset declarations include Mohammad Sultan Ganaie, an independent contender from the Baramulla constituency in Jammu and Kashmir, reporting assets worth Rs 67. Mukesh Kumar, running in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, has declared assets worth Rs 700, while Surajit Hembram from Hooghly, West Bengal, discloses assets totalling Rs. 5427.