Association of democratic reforms (ADR), a non-partisan NGO working in the area of political and democratic reforms released a report titled – ‘Analysis of Chief Ministers from 29 State Assemblies and 2 Union Territories of India‘ yesterday. The report [pdf] analysed wealth, criminal cases, education, and gender details of chief ministers of India. The report was based on the latest sworn affidavits given by the chief ministers to the election commission. A glance at wealth statistics of top ten chief ministers should startle citizens of India.
9 out of top ten CMs in terms of total wealth belong to non-BJP parties
According to the ADR report, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu is the richest CM in India. In terms of wealth, only one BJP chief ministers, i.e. Pema Khandu (number 2) figures in the top 10 list. It must be noted that Pema Khandu was originally a Congress CM who changed affiliation to People’s Party of Arunachal and then later to BJP. Interestingly, the report still considers him to be an INC chief minister. There is no long-term BJP CM figuring in the top 10 richest CMs.
5 out of the 10 richest Chief Ministers belong to the Indian National Congress. They are Amarinder Singh (number 3), Mukul Sangma (number 5), Siddaramaiah (number 6), V Narayana Swamy (number 9) and Lal Thanhawla (number 10). It must be noted that chief ministers of tiny states and union territories are able to make it to the top 10. Also, the chief minister of Karnataka has still not finished a single term in office.
With the revelations of this report, the general perception of BJP (a party holding office in 19 states and the central government) running a ‘suit boot sarkar’ stands disproved.
