Twitter
Advertisement

Gujarat Elections 2017: MLAs' assets rise by as much as 13 times in five years

BJP MLA Manisha Vakil's assets surge 1,348% since 2012; Ramesh Katara's 1,205%

Latest News
article-main
Saurabh Patel
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Assets of Gujarat MLAs have gone up sharply in the last five years, including more than 13 times in the case of one and over 12 times in the case of another, an analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Gujarat Election Watch (GEW) shows.

The NGOs analysed the poll affidavits of 121 sitting MLAs, who are re-contesting in the ongoing assembly elections.

"The average assets of these 121 MLAs from various parties, including independents, were at Rs7.56 crore in 2012. The average assets as per the 2017 election affidavits have gone up to Rs10.54 crore, which is an increase of Rs2.98 crore or 39% in five years," ADR and GEW said in the analysis.

The average assets of 81 re-contesting BJP MLAs increased by 57% from Rs6.82 crore to Rs10.70 crore. Similarly, average assets of 37 Congress MLAs went up by 14% from Rs8.88 crore to Rs10.12 crore, while that of two NCP MLAs rose by 3% from Rs15.61 crore to Rs16.04 crore.

Strongman Chhotu Vasava, who is contesting on Bhartiya Tribal Party symbol, saw his assets decline 17% from Rs2.70 crore to Rs2.24 crore, as per his election affidavits.

Saurabh Patel on top

Former finance and energy minister Saurabh Patel saw the highest rise in his assets in absolute terms. In 2012, the BJP MLA had declared assets worth Rs56.60 crore, which have gone up to Rs123.78 crore in these elections – an increase of 119%.

He is followed by BJP MLA from Dwarka, Pabubha Manek, whose assets have gone up from Rs31.86 crore to Rs88.42 crore, a rise of 178%.

The assets of Dinesh Patel, BJP MLA from Padra seat in Vadodara, increased by 56% from Rs39.41 crore as per the 2012 poll affidavit to Rs61.30 crore in 2017.

First-time MLA sees 1,348% rise

As far as percentage rise is concerned, Manisha Vakil, BJP MLA from Vadodara City seat, saw the highest rise. In 2012, her maiden election as MLA, she had declared assets of Rs7.12 lakh, which have surged 1,348% to Rs1.03 crore.

BJP MLA from Fatepura (ST) seat Ramesh Katara's assets have surged by 1,205% from Rs6 lakh in 2012 to Rs78.32 lakh in 2017, according to his election affidavits.

Minister Ganpat Vasava, who is seeking a fourth term from Mangrol (ST) seat saw his assets jump by more than four times since the last elections. From Rs60.15 lakh in 2012, he declared assets of Rs3.11 crore in 2017.

The analysis reveals that three sitting MLAs, Amit Chaudhary (BJP: Mansa seat), Sangita Patil (BJP: Limbayat) and Gendal Damor (Congress: Santrampur ST), saw their assets rise by over 300%.

There are six other re-contesting MLAs whose assets saw an increase of more than 200% since 2012, and 14 others whose assets rose by over 100%.

The analysis reveals that 76 other re-contesting MLAs saw their assets rise by up to 100%. However, 21 others also saw their assets decline since 2012.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement