Average weath of J&K’s new MLAs is ₹11.43 cr. Here are the top ones

11 October 2024

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Srinagar, Oct 10: 76 of the total 90 members of Jammu and Kashmir assembly are this time going to be the crorepatis. 70% of the winning candidates have a graduate or higher degree and only 3 out of 90 MLAs in the assembly are women.

A detailed analysis of the winning candidates, provided by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Jammu & Kashmir Election Watch sheds light on the evolving political dynamics in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per DR’S analysis, a staggering 84% (76 out of 90) of the winning candidates are crorepatis, showcasing a steep rise in wealth compared to previous elections. In 2014, 75% of the winners were crorepatis. The average assets of winning candidates in 2024 are ₹11.43 crores, more than doubling the ₹4.56 crores average in 2014.

Top Wealthiest MLAs (elect):

Tariq Hameed Karra (INC) – ₹148.44 crores (Srinagar Central Shalteng)

Devender Singh Rana (BJP) – ₹126.81 crores (Jammu Nagrota)

Mushtaq Guroo (JKNC) – ₹94.21 crores (Srinagar Channapora)

The Congress leads in financial terms, with its six candidates averaging ₹30.12 crores in assets. Other notable crorepatis include Devender Singh Rana of the BJP, who has assets worth ₹126.81 crores, and Mushtaq Guroo from JKNC, whose wealth stands at ₹94.21 crores.

Party-wise Crorepati Breakdown:

JKNC: 37 out of 42 candidates (88%) are crorepatis

BJP: 25 out of 29 candidates (86%) are crorepatis

INC: 6 out of 6 candidates (100%) are crorepatis

PDP: 2 out of 3 candidates (67%) are crorepatis

Independent: 4 out of 7 candidates (57%) are crorepatis

The ADR details reveal further that educationally, the assembly is more qualified than in the past. A total of 63 candidates (70%) have declared education levels of graduate or above, with a few holding advanced degrees. However, a significant portion (28%) have qualifications ranging between 8th and 12th pass.

In terms of gender representation, the assembly remains male-dominated. Only 3 women were elected, continuing the same 3% representation seen in the 2014 assembly.

The majority of winning candidates (68%) are between the ages of 51 and 80 years. The youngest winner is Shagun Parihar, a 29-year-old BJP candidate from Kishtwar, while JKNC’s veteran Abdul Rahim Rather, aged 80, is the oldest.

Age Group Breakdown:

25-50 years: 29 candidates (32%)

51-80 years: 61 candidates (68%).

The ADR details divulge that a notable trend in the 2024 elections is the rise in candidates with criminal backgrounds. Out of the 90 winning candidates analyzed, 9 (10%) have declared criminal cases against themselves, compared to 5 candidates (6%) in the 2014 assembly. Even more concerning, 8 (9%) of the winners face serious criminal charges. In 2014, only 2% of the winning candidates faced such serious charges.

Party-wise Breakdown of Candidates with Criminal Charges:

JKNC: 5 candidates (12%) with criminal cases, 4 with serious charges

BJP: 2 candidates (7%) with criminal cases, both facing serious charges

JKPDP: 1 candidate (33%) with criminal cases, also facing serious charges

AAP: 1 candidate (100%) with criminal cases and serious charges.

—(KNO)