Sarbananda Sonowal Declares Assets Worth Rs 4.76 Crore for Lok Sabha Bid

In a recent disclosure tied to the upcoming elections, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the Dibrugarh Lok Sabha constituency, has declared assets amounting to approximately Rs 4.76 crore. This declaration came as part of his election affidavit submitted this Tuesday alongside his nomination papers.

Sonowal's financial portfolio is divided between movable assets valued at Rs 1.64 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 3.11 crore. The movable assets include a significant investment in Oil India Limited, where Sonowal holds 10,249 shares with a market value of Rs 59,74,142. Additionally, his bank deposits total Rs 47,59,705, alongside other investments amounting to Rs 37,00,025.

Despite his considerable assets, the Union Minister for Shipping, Waterways, Ports and Ayush does not own a personal vehicle. However, he possesses gold jewellery valued at Rs 1,35,000 and household goods worth Rs 1,90,000. Sonowal also has a modest sum of Rs 27,679 in cash.

The immovable assets detailed in Sonowal's affidavit include four plots of inherited agricultural land in Dibrugarh with an estimated market value of Rs 36,20,000. He also owns four plots of non-agricultural land—three in Dibrugarh and one in Guwahati—valued collectively at approximately Rs 1,00,000. Sonowal has disclosed a liability of Rs 25,78,370.

On a personal note, Sonowal is a bachelor with no dependents. His legal record is clean; he has declared no pending cases against him nor any convictions for criminal offences.

Sonowal is no stranger to the Dibrugarh constituency; this election marks his third contest for the seat. He first won it in 2004 as a candidate from the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), successfully challenging the Congress party's hold on the constituency. However, he faced defeat against the Congress in the subsequent 2009 elections. Apart from his political career, Sonowal is also well-educated with a law degree and a degree in Communication and Journalism from Gauhati University.

This detailed declaration by Sonowal provides voters with transparency regarding his financial status and legal standing as he seeks to represent Dibrugarh once more in the Lok Sabha.