72 legislators already in elite group; Crorepati law-makers in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: If the present trend of crorepati MLAs continues, the Assam Assembly will have 100 crorepati legislators at the end of 2021 elections. In 2026, the Assembly may see all 126 MLAs as crorepatis. This is the prediction of the 'Association for Democratic Reforms' (ADR) and 'Assam Election Watch' which have been analyzing the MLAs' assets details.

TasadukArifulHussain, State coordinator of the 'Assam Election Watch', told The Sentinelthatif the present trend continues it will be a dangerous sign for the democracy. "The people with poor assets will not be able to contest elections in the future. Money power will rule the roost," said Hussain who is also a social activist.

In the 2006 Assembly, there were only 15 (12%) crorepati MLAs. The number increased to 47 (37%) in 2011. At present, the number of crorepati MLAs has reached 72. The current analysis by the 'ADR' and 'Assam Election Watch' is based on the affidavit submitted by the MLAs prior to the 2016 Assembly elections and bye-elections conducted thereafter.

While 34 (58%) out of the 59 sitting MLAs from BJP; 11 (55%) of the 20 MLAs from Congress; 10 (77%) of the 13 MLAs from AGP; seven (58%) of the 12 MLAs from BPF; and five (36%) of the 14 MLAs from AIUDF have declared assets valued more than Rs 1 crore. The average value of assets per sitting MLA is Rs 2.47 crore.

The richest MLA is NarenSonowal (AGP) from Naharkatiya Constituency in Dibrugarh district. He has assets worth Rs 33.95 crore. BJP MLA Narayan Deka from Barkhetry constituency in Nalbari district and AIUDF MLA Abdur Rahim Ajmal from Hojai are the two other richest MLAs having assets of Rs 17 crore and Rs 13 crore respectively.

The poorest legislators are AIUDF MLA from JaleswarSahabUddin Ahmed (Rs 1 lakh asset), AIUDF MLA from NaoboichaMamunImdadulHaqueChawdhury (Rs 6 lakh asset), and BJP MLA TerashGowalla (Rs 8 lakh asset) from Duliajan.

Also Read: Assam Assembly: Only 1 day is for questions

Also Watch: Assam Top Brass Reviews R-Day Preparations