Where better halves are richer halves

Jharkhand may be poor in terms of development but its leaders appear to have amassed huge assets over the years.

If one goes through their affidavits submitted before the Election Commission, one finds that the better halves of these politicians have more savings.

Take for example the case of former chief minister Arjun Munda. The BJP leader, who headed the Jharkhand government thrice between 2003 and 2013, has asset worth Rs 55 lakh, while his wife Meera’s assets are three times more.

As per Munda’s affidavit, Meera’s total assets amount to Rs 1.64 crore, and she reportedly runs a transport company.

Munda’s deputy during his regime, Sudesh Mahto’s case is somewhat similar. The former deputy chief minister and president of the All Jharkhand Students’ Association (AJSU), Mahto has property worth Rs 2.99 crore, while his wife Neha has assets to the tune of Rs 5.81 crore. Neha is reported to be in business where she runs a firm named Sirin Hospitality Private Limited.

State Finance Minister Rajendra Singh’s case is no different. While Singh has property worth Rs 3.4 crore, his wife Rani has assets to the tune of Rs 6.08 crore.Rani, who is actively campaigning for her husband in Bermo, is said to be running a dairy farm from where she has amassed huge wealth.

Former Assembly speaker and senior BJP leader C P Singh, MLA from Ranchi, has Rs 94.87 lakh worth property, while his wife has assets to the tune of Rs 1.18 crore. Notably, she is neither into business nor politics.