Two-third of candidates in Goa polls are crorepatis

Almost two-third of the 251 candidates in Goa Assembly polls are crorepatis, while 8% have declared serious criminal cases against them, according to a private election watchdog.

The analysis by Association for Democratic Rights (ADR) of affidavits filed by candidates showed that 156 candidates in the Assembly polls slated for this Saturday have assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.

AAP’s Ranjit Cotta Carvalho, contesting from Fatorda, is the richest candidate with Rs 65.78 crore, while BJP’s Michael Vincent Lobo (Calangute) has assets worth Rs 54.59 crore and Congress candidate and former chief minister Pratapsingh Rane (Poriem) has declared assets worth Rs 50 crore.

Independent candidate Jose Lopes from St Cruz has declared zero assets while NCP’s Aldona candidate Osbert D Cunha and independent candidate from Sanguem S N Gaunkar have declared assets worth Rs 20,000 each.