Every third candidate in Punjab Assembly elections is a crorepati with Congress’ Rana Gurjit Singh having the highest assets of Rs 169.89 crore. According to an analysis by Association for Democratic Rights (ADR) of affidavits filed by candidates, there are 428 crorepati candidates in fray, while seven have declared zero assets in their self-sworn affidavits. Among the 1,145 candidates fighting in 117 seats for polls on February 4, Independent candidate in Abohar comes second with Rs 141.86 crore, followed by Congress candidate in Muktsar Karan Kaur declaring Rs 119.41 crore assets.
Singh, the wealthiest candidate, also tops the list on those having liabilities with Rs 81.71 crore. Akali Dal leader and Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, who has declared assets worth Rs 102.07 crore, followed Singh in liabilities with Rs 39.86 crore. The Congress has fielded the highest number of crorepati candidates — 103 or 88% of its 117 candidates — while the ruling Akali Dal has 87 crorepatis (93%) out of the 94 nominees in fray. The Akali Dal is fighting the elections in alliance with the BJP, which has 20 crorepatis among its 23 candidates and together the alliance has 107 crorepati candidates. The Aam Aadmi Party, which has fielded 112 candidates, has 71 crorepatis.
On the crime front, 77 or 7% of the candidates have declared serious criminal charges. The Congress and the AAP having nine such candidates each, followed by the Akali Dal (8). The BJP has only one such candidate. Six constituencies in Punjab has three or more candidates with declared criminal cases. Only 81 candidates are women. About 644 candidates have declared their age to be between 25 and 50 years, while 490 candidates have declared their age to be between 51 and 80 years.
Published 30 January 2017, 20:14 IST