Assets of 216 MLAs grew 164% since last Maharashtra polls: study

There has been a whopping 164% growth in assets of 216 MLAs, who are seeking re-election to the Maharashtra Assembly, since the last polls, as per a study conducted by two NGOs.

The average assets of these candidates have shot up to Rs 13.15 crore this year, from Rs 4.97 crore in 2009, according to an analysis of affidavits of 216 MLAs, who won the 2009 state Assembly polls and are again contesting tomorrow, conducted by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Maharashtra Election Watch.

The study reveals that the average asset growth of each candidate is Rs 8.17 crore, or 164%. BJP's Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who represents Malabar Hill seat, has the highest assets growth of Rs 129.97 crore, from Rs 68.64 crore in 2009 to Rs 198.61 crore this year.

The assets of Suresh Kumar Bhikamchand Jain, Shiv Sena candidate from Jalgaon city, have increased by Rs 100 crore, from Rs 82.82 crore in 2009 to Rs 182.84 crore in 2014.

Ramesh Singh Ramnarayan Thakur of Congress, contesting from Kandivali East seat, has an assets growth of Rs 59.40 crore, from Rs 22.22 crore in 2009 to Rs 81.63 crore in 2014.

According to the NGOs, 62 re-contesting MLAs of the Congress have shown 184% increase in average assets, while 51 NCP MLAs have shown a 176% rise.

Forty-four BJP MLAs have declared an average assets increase of 198 %, while 36 Shiv Sena MLAs have shown 172% growth.

Eight MLAs of MNS have registered an average assets increase of 294%, while 8 independent MLAs have shown an average assets rise of 74%.