Mamata Banerjee To Chandrababu Naidu: Who Is India’s Richest CM? The Poorest Holds Only Rs 15 Lakh In Assets – Check List

Richest CM In 2024: According to a recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is the wealthiest CM in India, with assets totaling over Rs 931 crore. The ADR's findings were released on Monday, shedding light on the financial status of India's state and union territory leaders. 

While Naidu leads the pack, Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu follows closely as the second wealthiest with assets worth over Rs 332 crore. Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah rounds out the top three with assets exceeding Rs 51 crore. 

In addition to assets, the report also delves into the liabilities of the CMs. Pema Khandu holds the highest liabilities, amounting to Rs 180 crore. Siddaramaiah’s liabilities are reported at Rs 23 crore, while Naidu’s liabilities exceed Rs 10 crore. This suggests that some of the wealthiest leaders also have significant debts, affecting their overall financial standing. 

On the flip side, West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee ranks as the poorest, with assets valued at just Rs 15 lakh. Jammu and Kashmir’s Omar Abdullah is the second poorest CM, with assets valued at only Rs 55 lakh. Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan comes in third on the list of the poorest, with assets worth just Rs 1.18 crore. This stark contrast in wealth highlights the varying economic profiles of Indian state leaders. 

The report also touches on the criminal backgrounds of India’s chief ministers. It reveals that 13 out of the 31 CMs (42 percent) have declared criminal cases against themselves. Moreover, 10 CMs (32 percent) have serious criminal cases in their records, including charges such as attempt to murder, kidnapping, bribery, and criminal intimidation. 

Interestingly, the report also highlights the gender imbalance in Indian state leadership. Out of the 31 chief ministers, only two are women: Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Atishi of Delhi. This further underscores the underrepresentation of women in India’s political leadership roles. 

The total assets of the 31 chief ministers collectively amount to Rs 1,630 crore, underscoring the immense wealth controlled by these political leaders. The report reveals that the average asset value for CMs from state assemblies and union territories stands at Rs 52.59 crore. In comparison, India's per capita net national income (NNI) for the year 2023-2024 is approximately Rs 1,85,854. This means that the average self-declared income of a chief minister is Rs 13,64,310, roughly 7.3 times higher than the average per capita income of the country.