Lok Sabha Polls: Phase II Showcases Wealthy Contenders Battling For Votes
When it comes to India’s 18th Lok Sabha, one thing is for sure. The Indian power corridors will be glittering with billionaires. As the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 Phase 2 approaches, an analysis of the candidates reveals that like Phase 1, the Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha polls too has crorepati candidates vying for the people’s votes.
The report has been released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which presents an insightful analysis of the assets of candidates contesting in this phase. Topping the list of candidates with the highest assets is Venkataramane Gowda (Star Chandru) from Karnataka's Mandya constituency, representing the Indian National Congress (INC). Gowda boasts movable assets worth INR 2,12,78,08,148 and immovable assets amounting to INR 4,10,19,20,693, with a total asset value of INR 6,22,97,28,841.
Following closely is DK Suresh, also from Karnataka but representing Bangalore Rural constituency, with total assets worth INR 5,93,05,25,395. Hema Malini Dharmendra Deol from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura constituency, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured the third position with assets totaling INR 2,78,93,68,227.
The list also includes prominent names like HD Kumaraswamy from Karnataka's Mandya constituency, Kanwar Singh Tanwar from Uttar Pradesh's Amroha constituency, and M.S. Raksha Ramaiah from Karnataka's Chikkballapur constituency, among others.
Party-wise Crorepati Candidates
The analysis reveals that the BJP has the highest percentage of crorepati candidates, with 93 per cent of its candidates being crorepati. The INC closely follows with 91 per cent of its candidates falling under this category. Other parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M), Janata Dal (Secular) (JD-S), and Samajwadi Janata Party (Karnataka) also have a significant percentage of crorepati candidates.
State-wise Distribution Of Crorepati Candidates
Karnataka leads in the number of crorepati candidates, with 32 per cent of its candidates falling under this category, followed by Maharashtra (29 per cent) and Kerala (33 per cent). Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan also have a substantial percentage of crorepati candidates contesting in Phase 2 of the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
As India continues its democratic exercise, these insights into the financial profiles of candidates provide voters with valuable information to make informed choices during the elections.
