Karnataka Elections: 157 Crorepatis Candidates In Bengaluru Region`s 28 Seats, Says Report

Of the 384 candidates contesting on 28 Assembly seats in Karnataka`s Bengaluru from various parties, 157 are `crorepatis`, according to a new report. As per the Karnataka Election Watch, Bengaluru Election Watch, and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), which analysed the self-sworn affidavits of 384 out of 389 candidates, contesting in the 28 constituencies of Bengaluru region in the May 10 Assembly elections, 157 candidates, which is 41 per cent of the total candidates analysed, are crorepatis.

The report stated that 87 candidates, which is 23 per cent of the total, have declared their assets as more than Rs 5 crore, while there are 37 candidates, which is 10 per cent, have declared assets between Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore. It also highlighted that there are 76 candidates who have declared their assets between Rs 50 lakh to Rs 2 crore and 70 candidates have declared assets between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

There are also 114 candidates, which is 29 per cent of the 384 candidates, who have assets less than Rs 10 lakh. Highlighting the role of money power in elections, the report noted that all major political parties gave tickets to wealthy candidates. It said among the major parties, 26 (96 per cent) out of 27 candidates analysed from the Congress, 27 (96 per cent) out of 28 candidates analysed from the ruling BJP, 21 (88 per cent) out of 24 candidates analysed from the JD-S and 25 (89 per cent) out of 28 candidates analysed from the AAP have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore.

The report also stated that the average of assets per candidate contesting in the 28 constituencies of Bengaluru region is Rs 24.48 crore. "Among major parties, the average assets for 27 Congress candidates analysed is Rs 145.26 crore, 28 BJP candidates analysed is Rs 63 crore, and 24 JD-S candidates have average assets of Rs 54.97 crore," it said. Of the 3 candidates with highest declared assets, contesting in the 28 constituencies of Bengaluru region, the top position is held by Yousuf Shariff, who is contesting from Chickpet assembly seat as an independent candidates, and has assets worth Rs 1,633 crore. Shariff is followed by Congress candidate Priyakrishna, who is contesting from Govindarajanagar assembly seat and has assets worth Rs 1,156 crore.

On the third spot in the list of wealthiest candidates in Begaluru region is Congress` Suresha BL, who is contesting from Hebbal Assembly seat, and has declared assets worth Rs 648 crore. Polling for the 224 member Karnataka Assembly will take place on May 10 in single phase and counting of votes will take place on May 13. The ruling BJP and the main oppoisition Congress are engaged in bitter fight in the assembly polls.