(These images are AI generated)

Ahead of Gujarat’s Lok Sabha poll showdown on May 7, a report published by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Apr 29 revealed that 68 candidates (26%) out of 266 contesting in Gujarat have assets worth more than ₹1 crore. A total of 24 BJP candidates are billionaires, 21 candidates belong to INC, while 4 belong to BSP.

Top rich netas in Guj

BJP’s Poonam Maadam, Lok Sabha candidate from Jamnagar seat boasts of the highest assets worth ₹1,47,70,02,341 (₹147.70 crore).

Union home minister and Gandhinagar Lok Sabha candidate Amit Shah ranked second with ₹65,67,12,498 crore (₹65.67 crore) of assets followed by Gujarat BJP chief CR Patil with ₹39,49,30,044 crore (₹39.49 crore) assets.

A total of 124(47%) candidates have declared liabilities with Poonam Maadam topping the list with ₹53 crore of liabilities followed by Chandanji Thakor of Congress with ₹9 crore of liabilities and Congress Amreli candidate Jenny Thummar with ₹3 crore of liabilities.

Crorepati candidates in Gujarat 

Candidates with lowest assets include Bardoli (ST) candidate Rekha Chaudahri of BSP with assets worth only ₹2,000 followed by Nilesh Vasaikar from IND in Vadodara with ₹12,841 and Kalyansinh Katara of Gunj Satya Ni Janata Party in Sabarkantha with ₹13,481.

Crime bio data

The report also involved detailed criminal background of candidates in Gujarat which revealed that 36 (14%) out of 266 candidates have declared criminal cases against themselves.

Out of 36, 21 (8%) of the candidates have declared 'serious criminal cases' against them.

What are serious criminal cases?

According to ADR, criteria for serious criminal cases include offences eligible for preventive detention typically include those carrying a maximum punishment of five years or more, being non-bailable, related to electoral misconduct such as bribery (e.g., IPC 171E), causing loss to the exchequer, involving assault, murder, kidnap, or rape, listed under the Representation of the People Act (Section 8), falling under the Prevention of Corruption Act, or categorized as crimes against women.

Candidates with criminal cases

The highest number of criminal cases are against AAP candidate in Bharuch, Chaitar Vasava and Independent candidate Ismail Patel with 13 cases. Four cases are lodged against INC candidate Anant Patel, three criminal cases against Amit Shah, two against Hira Jotva and one criminal case against Geni Thakor.

Also read:

LS polls: 36 candidates with criminal charges in Gujarat

LS polls phase II: 390 millionaires, criminal charges against 167, ADR reports