CM Wealth Report: Mamata poorest CM, Naidu richest; Nagaland’s Rio at Rs 46.95 Cr
A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) reveals that 12 out of 30 chief ministers in the country, accounting for 40 per cent, have declared criminal cases against themselves.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy tops the list with 89 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin with 47. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has 19 cases, Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah 13, and Jharkhand’s Hemant Soren five. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh each declared four cases, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan two, and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann one.
The report comes as the government introduces three bills aimed at removing the prime minister, chief ministers, and ministers arrested for 30 days on serious criminal charges.
According to ADR, 10 chief ministers, or 33 per cent, face serious criminal cases, including charges of attempt to murder, kidnapping, bribery, and criminal intimidation.
ADR stated that it analysed self-sworn affidavits of all 30 sitting chief ministers from state Assemblies and Union Territories. The data was drawn from affidavits submitted before contesting their last elections, highlighting the continuing issue of criminal cases among top political leaders.
Mamata Banerjee declared poorest CM; Chandrababu Naidu tops asset list
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee remains the poorest among India’s chief ministers, with assets worth slightly over Rs 15 lakh, according to the latest report by the ADR. The report, compiled after state assembly polls and bye-elections held post-December 2024, draws on data from affidavits filed by the CMs before their last elections.
At the other end of the spectrum, Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu tops the list with assets exceeding Rs 931 crore, followed by Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu with Rs 332 crore. These two are the only billionaires among the chief ministers.
The ADR report states that the total assets of all 31 CMs amount to Rs 1,630 crore. Mamata Banerjee’s affidavit, filed before the September 30, 2021, Bhowanipore by-election, showed she had “cash in hand” of Rs 69,255 and a bank balance of Rs 13.5 lakh, including Rs 1.5 lakh in her election expenditure account. Her TDS receivable for 2019-20 was Rs 1.8 lakh, and she owned 9 grams of jewellery worth Rs 43,837. She did not declare any property or house in her name.
Ujjaini Halim, coordinator (West Bengal) of ADR said affidavits are filed with the Election Commission which is then sent to the income tax department but their scrutiny remains uncertain, adding that rising election costs make it harder for candidates with humble means to contest.
Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio declares Rs 46.95 crore in assets: ADR report on northeast CMs
According to an analysis of self-sworn affidavits of Chief Ministers from the northeastern states released by ADR revealing their assets, liabilities, education, and income, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu is the wealthiest CM in the region with declared assets exceeding Rs 332 crore and liabilities of about Rs 180 crore. The 44-year-old graduate reported no personal income.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, 73, declared the lowest assets among his counterparts, amounting to Rs 4.13 crore, with liabilities of about Rs 21 lakh.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, 72, reported assets worth Rs 46.95 crore and liabilities of Rs 8.69 lakh. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, 52, a doctorate holder, declared assets of Rs 17.27 crore, liabilities of Rs 3.51 crore, and an annual self-income of Rs 25.94 lakh.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, 44, a postgraduate, declared assets worth Rs 14.06 crore with liabilities of Rs 24.13 lakh and an annual income of Rs 29.57 lakh.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, 70, also a postgraduate, reported assets of Rs 13.90 crore, liabilities of Rs 13.27 lakh, and an income of Rs 19.66 lakh.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), 56, declared assets of Rs 6.69 crore, liabilities of Rs 15 lakh, and no personal income.
The report highlights that northeastern CMs range from graduates to doctorate holders, with most above 44 years of age. ADR and National Election Watch analysed affidavits filed before their last elections. At present, Manipur remains under President’s Rule.
(With inputs from agencies)
