Himanta’s Wealth Jumps 152%,
Mamata Remains Least Wealthy Among Election-State Chief Ministers
West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry witnessed intense political battles during their Assembly elections. Along with political campaigns and alliances, another aspect that drew public attention was the wealth declared by Chief Ministers and top leaders in their election affidavits.
Election affidavits provide a detailed picture of politicians’ income, cash holdings, bank deposits, jewellery, movable and immovable assets, liabilities and investments. A comparison between the latest affidavits and those filed during the previous elections reveals how the financial status of several Chief Ministers changed over the last five years.
Among the leaders from these election-bound states, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emerged as the wealthiest, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remained the least wealthy.
Himanta Biswa Sarma Emerged As The Richest Among Election-State CMs
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma once again contested from the Jalukbari Assembly constituency. According to his latest election affidavit, the combined assets of Sarma and his wife are now worth nearly ₹32.7 crore.
The affidavit states that Sarma declared movable assets worth around ₹2.36 crore, while his wife declared movable assets exceeding ₹13 crore. The family also owns significant immovable properties, including land and other investments.
The Congress repeatedly targeted Himanta Biswa Sarma during the elections, alleging that he possessed undisclosed foreign assets. However, both Sarma and his wife denied the allegations.
A comparison with his 2021 election affidavit shows a massive increase in wealth. During the previous elections, the combined family assets were around ₹13 crore. In five years, the family’s declared wealth increased by nearly ₹20 crore.
Wealth Growth: 152%
MK Stalin Reported Moderate Growth In Wealth
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin also reported an increase in assets over the last five years.
According to his latest affidavit, Stalin and his wife together possess assets worth around ₹9.6 crore. Their wealth includes bank deposits, savings, investments and immovable properties.
In the 2021 Assembly elections, Stalin and his wife had declared total assets worth around ₹8.86 crore. The latest affidavit shows an increase of approximately ₹74 lakh over five years.
Wealth Growth: 8.35%
Mamata Banerjee Continues To Maintain Simple Financial Profile
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continued to maintain her image as one of India’s simplest politicians.
According to her latest election affidavit, Mamata Banerjee declared total assets worth around ₹15 lakh. Her assets mainly include bank deposits, limited jewellery and cash in hand.
The affidavit also showed that she does not own any major immovable property.
Interestingly, her declared wealth actually declined over the last five years. During the 2021 elections, Mamata Banerjee had declared assets worth around ₹16.7 lakh.
Wealth Change: 8% Decline
N Rangasamy’s Assets Witnessed Sharp Fall
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy also witnessed a significant decline in his declared assets.
According to his latest election affidavit, Rangasamy now possesses total assets worth nearly ₹28 crore. His wealth includes land, residential property, vehicles and investments.
In his previous election affidavit, Rangasamy had declared assets exceeding ₹38 crore. The comparison shows that his total wealth declined by nearly ₹10 crore over five years.
Wealth Change: 27% Decline
Pinarayi Vijayan Reported Steady Increase In Assets
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also reported growth in family wealth.
According to the latest affidavit, Vijayan and his wife together possess assets worth nearly ₹2 crore. Their investments include bank deposits, mutual funds, shares and immovable properties.
In the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections, the family had declared assets worth around ₹1.19 crore. The latest affidavit reflects an increase of nearly ₹80 lakh.
Wealth Growth: 67%
CM Wealth Comparison Chart
| Chief Minister | Earlier Assets | Latest Assets | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Himanta Biswa Sarma | ₹13 Cr | ₹32.7 Cr | ▲ 152% |
| MK Stalin | ₹8.86 Cr | ₹9.6 Cr | ▲ 8.35% |
| Mamata Banerjee | ₹16.7 Lakh | ₹15.3 Lakh | ▼ 8% |
| N Rangasamy | ₹38.3 Cr | ₹28 Cr | ▼ 27% |
| Pinarayi Vijayan | ₹1.19 Cr | ₹1.98 Cr | ▲ 67% |
Election Affidavits Continue To Reveal Financial Trends In Politics
Election affidavits remain one of the most important transparency tools in Indian democracy. These legally mandatory disclosures allow voters to examine the financial growth, liabilities and investment patterns of political leaders.
The comparison of affidavits from election-bound states shows a mixed trend. While some Chief Ministers reported massive jumps in wealth, others witnessed a decline in their declared assets.
From Himanta Biswa Sarma’s sharp rise in wealth to Mamata Banerjee’s modest declarations, the affidavits once again highlighted the contrasting financial profiles of India’s regional political leaders.
