AIZAWL: Despite being a new contender in the upcoming Mizoram Assembly elections, the state chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau, stands as the wealthiest among all candidates vying for the electoral battle.
As per affidavits sourced by a national news agency, a significant 64.4% of candidates have declared assets exceeding Rs 1 crore and topping the list is Pachuau, AAP’s Mizoram president, with declared assets valued at a staggering Rs 68.93 crore. He is contending from the Aizawl North-III constituency.
Of the 174 candidates in fray this November 7 polls, 112 are crorepati, revealing an affluent side to the electoral battlefield.
Following Pachuau in the list is R Vanlaltluanga, representing the Congress from the Serchhip seat, with assets amounting to Rs 55.6 crore. H Ginzalala from the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), contesting the Champhai North, sits in third with assets pegged at Rs 36.9 crore. Their primary income source, as stated in their affidavits, is business.
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However, not all candidates flaunt such opulence. An independent contestant from Serchhip, Ramhlun-Edena, declared movable assets of just Rs 1,500, making him the least affluent candidate.
Meanwhile, a noticeable discrepancy was spotted in BJP’s JB Rualchhinga’s affidavit. Contesting from Lawngtlai West, Rualchhinga’s assets were incorrectly listed as Rs 90.32 crore and the party is now reaching out to the election department for corrections.
Drawing a comparison with the 2018 assembly polls in the state, MNF’s Lalrinenga Sailo (Hachhek) was the most affluent with assets worth Rs 100 crore. His assets have since reduced to Rs 26.24 crore.
Notably, among the 16 women candidates, Meriam L Hrangchal of Congress, contending from Lunglei South, is the most affluent with assets estimated at Rs 18.63 crore.
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Chief Minister Zoramthanga, leading the MNF, has declared assets worth Rs 5 crore, making him the wealthiest among the party presidents contesting the election.
On the contrary, five candidates, including three from ZPM and one each from MNF and BJP, have declared pending criminal cases against them. Interestingly, this is a cut from 2018 when nine candidates, including Zoramthanga, had ongoing criminal proceedings.
The Deputy Chief Minister Tawnpui, running for the Tuichang seat, holds the distinction of being the oldest candidate at 80. In contrast, two candidates – independent Lalruatfeli Hlawndo and BJP’s F Vanhmingthanga – are the youngest, both aged 31.
