SHILLONG: As the Lok Sabha polls draw near, the financial assets and legal tangles of candidates vying for seats in Meghalaya have come under scrutiny.
Vincent Pala, the sitting Lok Sabha member representing the Shillong seat and a Congress candidate, continues to maintain his position as one of the wealthiest politicians in the state, with assets exceeding Rs 100 crore.
A report published by a local daily on Wednesday revealed that Pala’s affidavit reveals a substantial portfolio, including moveable assets totalling Rs 1.6 crore for himself and Rs 91,50,217 for his spouse.
Additionally, Pala and his spouse own extensive non-agricultural land, collectively valued at Rs 1,14,05,00,000, along with residential properties valued at Rs 9,25,00,000.
Meanwhile, Robertjune Kharjahrin, the candidate for Shillong’s Regional Democratic Alliance (RDA), stands as the second candidate after NPP’s Ampareen Lyngdoh to declare pending criminal cases against them, the daily reported.
Kharjahrin’s affidavit references a past incident resulting in a case filed under Section 102 of the Meghalaya Police Act of 2010, although no charges were framed against him.
His total assets amount to Rs 20 lakh with properties valued at Rs 50,00,000.
In Tura, the sitting MP and NPP candidate, Agatha Sangma, reports moveable assets totalling Rs 52,78,453.
She possesses substantial agricultural and non-agricultural land valued at Rs 28,65,750, alongside two commercial buildings valued at Rs 2,58,51,775.
Challenging Sangma is Saleng Sangma, representing the Congress, whose assets include four vehicles, a Rubicon being the most valuable at Rs 63,68,050.
His total moveable assets amount to Rs 1,80,49,264, with additional properties valued at Rs 2,20,00,000.
As the political atmosphere of Meghalaya heats up ahead of Lok Sabha polls, the disclosure of assets and legal history provides voters with valuable insights into the backgrounds of the candidates seeking their mandate.
