The revelation comes from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an impartial organization dedicated to fostering electoral and political transparency….reports Asian Lite News
In the electoral landscape of Gujarat, the wealth spectrum among candidates paints a stark contrast. Poonam Maadam, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s contender for the Jamnagar Lok Sabha seat, emerges as the wealthiest, boasting assets totaling a staggering ₹147 crore.
Conversely, Bahujan Samaj Party’s Rekha Chaudhari, vying for the Bardoli (Scheduled Tribe) constituency, stands at the other end of the financial spectrum, with declared assets amounting to a meager ₹2,000.
This revelation comes from the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), an impartial organization dedicated to fostering electoral and political transparency. Their data indicates that out of the 266 candidates competing across 26 Lok Sabha seats in Gujarat, 68 are ‘crorepatis,’ constituting 26 percent of the total candidates.
Mukesh Dalal, a BJP candidate securing victory unopposed from Surat, commands assets exceeding ₹17 crore, according to the ADR. Notably, Poonam Maadam, eyeing re-election, has witnessed a substantial surge in her assets from ₹42.7 crore in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to ₹147 crore in 2024. This growth encompasses movable assets worth ₹60 crore and immovable properties valued at ₹87 crore, spanning her personal holdings, those of her spouse, and assets under the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) umbrella.
Within the realm of Union ministers contesting from Gujarat, Parshottam Rupala and Mansukh Mandaviya stand out. Rupala declares assets surpassing ₹17 crore, while Mandaviya’s assets exceed ₹7 crore. Furthermore, Gujarat BJP president CR Paatil, contesting re-election from Navsari, reveals assets exceeding ₹39 crore.
Among Congress contenders, Bharat Makwana from Ahmedabad (West), representing the Scheduled Castes, emerges as the wealthiest with assets exceeding ₹25 crore. However, BJP maintains dominance in ‘crorepati’ representation, fielding 24 such candidates compared to Congress’ 21, with the Bahujan Samaj Party contributing four.
ADR’s breakdown of candidate demographics reveals a varied profile. Nineteen out of the 266 candidates are women, while educational backgrounds span from doctorates to illiteracy. Notably, five candidates hold doctorates, seven are illiterate, and educational qualifications range from diploma holders to postgraduates.
In addition to financial disparities, the electoral arena showcases a diverse age distribution, with candidates spanning from 25 to over 70 years old.
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