AIZAWL: As the Mizoram assembly elections approach, the financial profiles of the candidates have come to the forefront, revealing that a significant number of them are crorepatis. Out of the 174 candidates contesting the elections, 112 of them have declared assets exceeding one crore rupees.
According to the affidavits submitted by the candidates, 64.4 percent of the contestants possess assets valued at one crore or more. Among them, the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Mizoram president, Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau, is the wealthiest candidate, with declared assets amounting to Rs 68.93 crore. Pachuau is running from the Aizawl North-III constituency.
R. Vanlaltluanga, representing the Congress from the Serchhip seat, ranks second with assets worth Rs 55.6 crore. H. Ginzalala, running for the Zoram People's Movement, holds the third position with declared assets totaling Rs 36.9 crore. The primary source of income for these candidates is their business activities.
In contrast, independent candidate Ramhlun-Edena from the Serchhip seat has the least amount of assets, with movable assets valued at only Rs 1,500.
A notable discrepancy was found in the affidavit of JB Rualchhinga, the BJP nominee from Lawngtlai West, who mistakenly declared his assets as worth Rs 90.32 crore. The party has requested a correction from the election department.
In the 2018 assembly elections, the richest candidate was MNF nominee Lalrinenga Sailo from the Hachhek constituency, with declared assets amounting to Rs 100 crore. He was followed by his party colleague, Robert Romawia Royte, who represented Aizawl East-II and had assets worth Rs 44 crore. However, the assets of Sailo and Royte have seen significant reductions to Rs 26.24 crore and Rs 32.24 crore, respectively, in the current elections.
Among the 16 female candidates, Congress nominee Meriam L. Hrangchal from the Lunglei South constituency holds the title of the richest candidate with assets valued at Rs 18.63 crore.
MNF president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga is the wealthiest among the presidents of the five contesting political parties, boasting assets worth Rs 5 crore. The ZPM chief ministerial candidate, Lalduhoma, is contesting from the Serchhip seat with assets worth Rs 4 crore. In contrast, Mizoram Congress president Lalsawta, BJP president Vanlalhmuaka, and other candidates have declared assets worth Rs 6 crore and Rs 31.31 lakh, respectively.
In terms of criminal records, five candidates, including three from ZPM and one each from MNF and BJP, have pending criminal cases against them. In the 2018 elections, nine candidates, including Zoramthanga and former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla, had pending criminal cases.
Deputy Chief Minister Tawnpui, who is running for re-election from the Tuichang seat, is the oldest candidate at 80 years of age. The youngest candidates, at 31 years, are woman candidate Lalruatfeli Hlawndo, who is running as an independent from two seats, and BJP nominee F Vanhmingthanga.
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