As the political battleground heats up for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly Elections in 2023, a recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Rajasthan Election Watch sheds light on the financial standings of the current sitting MLAs. The analysis, based on affidavits submitted before the 2018 Assembly elections, unveils intriguing details about the financial assets, educational backgrounds, and criminal histories of the candidates.
According to the report, a staggering 79 percent of the sitting MLAs in the current Rajasthan Assembly are classified as crorepati legislators. Among these, 88 (81 percent) out of 108 MLAs from the Congress, 54 (78 percent) out of 69 MLAs from the BJP, 12 out of 14 Independent MLAs, and 2 out of 3 Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) MLAs have declared assets worth over Rs 1 crore.
The analysis reveals some notable financial heavyweights in the political landscape. Congress leaders Parasram Mordia, Anjana Udailal, and Vishvendra Singh top the list with declared assets of Rs 172 crore, Rs 107 crore, and Rs 104 crore, respectively. Interestingly, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot have both declared assets worth Rs six crore each.
Breaking down the average assets per sitting MLA, the Congress leads with Rs 9.28 crores, followed by BJP with Rs 5.45 crores. The report also delves into the educational qualifications, highlighting that 30 percent of the MLAs have qualifications ranging from 5th pass to 12th pass, while 64 percent hold a graduate or higher educational qualification. Notably, seven MLAs have declared themselves as literate.
On the legal front, the report discloses that 23 percent of the sitting MLAs have declared criminal cases against themselves, with 14 percent facing serious criminal charges. Shockingly, one MLA has declared cases related to murder (IPC section 302), while four have cases related to attempted murder (IPC section 307).
As Rajasthan gears up for the polls, the ADR and Rajasthan Election Watch report provides citizens with valuable insights into the financial backgrounds and legal histories of the candidates vying for their votes. The findings raise questions about the intersection of wealth, education, and legal issues in the political arena, sparking conversations about the transparency and accountability of elected representatives.