According to a report released on Monday by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Madhya Pradesh Election Watch, the average assets of the 192 sitting MLAs in Madhya Pradesh have surged by nearly 50 per cent, rising from Rs 11.91 crore in 2018 to Rs 17.81 crore.
This report is based on an analysis of the self-sworn affidavits of the 192 MLAs seeking re-election in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election. Among these re-contesting MLAs, 180 (94 per cent) have witnessed an increase in their assets, ranging from one per cent to a staggering 1982 per cent. In contrast, the assets of 12 MLAs (six per cent) have decreased, with declines ranging from -1 per cent to -64 per cent.
The study revealed that the average assets of these 192 re-contesting MLAs, representing various political parties and independents, stood at Rs 11.91 crore in 2018 and have now risen to Rs 17.81 crore in 2023. The average asset growth for these MLAs over the period between the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections of 2018 and 2023 is reported to be Rs 5.90 crore."Average percentage growth in assets for these 192 re-contesting MLAs is 50 per cent," it said.
The report said that Chetanya Kasyap of BJP from Ratlam City constituency has declared maximum increase in assets with an increase of Rs 91.45 crore, i.e, from Rs 204.63 crore in 2018 to Rs 296.08 crore in 2023, while the assets of Sanjay Sharma (Sanju Bhaiya) of Congress from Tendukheda constituency have increased by Rs 81.55 crore, from Rs 130.97 crore in 2018 to Rs 212.52 crore in 2023.
It also said that the assets of Sanjay Shukla of Congress from Indore-1 constituency have risen by Rs 77.47 crore, from Rs 139.93 crore in 2018 to Rs 217.41 crore in 2023.
The report said that out of the 192 recontesting MLAs, 100 are from BJP.
"In 2018, the average assets of the BJP MLAs was Rs 11.65 crore, which in 2023 is Rs 15.75 crore, an increase of 35.21 per cent while of the 88 sitting MLAs of the Congress was Rs 12.56 crore, which now stands at Rs 20.52 crore, witnessing a growth of 63.43 per cent," the report said.
The report said, "The average assets of the two BSP MLAs contesting in 2023 has increased to Rs 7.90 crore from Rs 4.32 crore in 2018, a growth of 82.57 per cent, while the average asset of the one re-contesting independent MLA grew by 182.64 per cent. His asset was Rs 7.93 crore in 2018 Assembly polls, which is now Rs 22.42 crore.
The average assets of one of the re-contesting MLAs from the Vindhya Janata Party showed a decline of three per cent. His assets were Rs 89.12 lakh in 2018 Assembly polls, which is now Rs 86.09 lakh in 2023, the report stated.
The upcoming polling for the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly is set to take place on November 17, with the counting of votes scheduled for December 3. This electoral process will play a crucial role in determining the composition of the legislative assembly and shaping the political landscape in Madhya Pradesh. As the state gears up for the elections, it marks a significant event in the democratic process, allowing citizens to exercise their right to vote and participate in shaping the future of their region.
(With Agency Inputs)
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