116 poll candidates in Mizoram are Multimillionaires

Aizawl: More than half of the total 209 candidates in the fray in are multimillionaires. According to an analysis by election watchdog, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), a total of 116 candidates are multimillionaires.

With 35 names, the Mizo National Front (MNF) leads the list of multimillionaire candidates. The MNF is followed by the Congress (33 candidates) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (17 candidates).

With assets in excess of Rs 100 crore, MNF's Lalrinenga Sailo contesting from Hachhek in Mamit district is the richest candidate.

One of the prominent richest candidates in Mizoram's assembly elections with declared assets of Rs. 55 crore, is 51-year-old Robert Romawia Royte of the MNF. He owns popular Aizawl Football Club and has a fleet of luxury cars. Aizawl FC owned by Royte bagged the I-League title in 2017.

Royte is contesting the election from Aizawl East-II constituency in the state, is a first-timer in assembly polls. He is contesting from a seat where the ruling Congress has fielded veteran leader and incumbent finance minister Lalsawta.

It may be mentioned that compared to Rs 2.31 crore in the 2013 Assembly polls, the average assets per candidate contesting the polls this year has risen to Rs 3.11 crore.