77 crorepati candidates in fray for Phase IV

Average asset per candidate is Rs. 2.71 crores

PS BALI

Jammu, Dec 4: Out of the 182 candidates in the fray for fourth phase of the election assembly, 77 are crorepatis, showing that moneybags continue to rule the roost in State elections.

While the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has fielded highest 17 crorepati candidates, ruling National Conference and Indian National Congress have fielded 16 and 10 crorepati candidates, respectively.

A total of 16 independent candidates are also crorepatis, while seven and five candidates of BJP and People’s Conference (PC) are also crorepati, respectively.

In this line, LJP, BSP, NCP, DPN, Republican Party and CPI have also fielded one crorepati candidate each  for the fourth phase.

A report prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Election watchdog reveals that PDP choses 94 % of crorepati candidates, ruling NC   89 %, INC   56 % moneybags and  BJP   41 %.   Atleast  28% Independent candidates have also declared their  assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore.

According to the ADR report, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari, contesting from Amira Kadal segment on PDP ticket, leads the pack of moneybags with assets worth Rs 84 crore. He is followed by another party man, Abid Hussain Ansari candidate from Zadibal assembly segment with total assets worth Rs 27 crore. Abdul Qayoom Bhat, of Democratic Party Nationalist (DPN) contesting from Batamaloo constituency is the third richest candidate with assets of Rs 21 crore.

The average asset per candidate contesting in the fourth phase of Jammu and Kashmir elections is Rs.2.71 crores.

Among major parties, the average assets per candidate for 18 J PDP candidates is Rs 10.44 crores, 18 JKNC candidates have average assets of Rs.4.19 crores, 18 INC candidates have average assets worth of Rs.2.90 crores and 17 BJP candidates have average assets of Rs. 2.23 crores.