89% of Newly Elected MLAs in Jharkhand Are Crorepatis: 2024 Election Wealth Surge

In the 2024 Jharkhand Assembly elections, a stunning 89% of newly elected Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) are now considered crorepatis, highlighting a significant shift in the state’s political landscape. This finding was revealed by a detailed analysis of election affidavits from 80 out of the 81 winning candidates, conducted by Jharkhand Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The data suggests a sharp rise in the wealth of elected representatives compared to previous years, raising concerns about growing wealth disparities in the state's political system. The trend reflects broader national concerns about the increasing influence of money in elections and the representation of the financially privileged in politics.

The Rising Wealth: How Jharkhand’s MLAs Became Crorepatis

The wealth of newly elected MLAs in Jharkhand has seen a sharp uptick. According to the report, the average assets of the 2024 winners stand at Rs 6.90 crore, nearly double the Rs 3.87 crore average recorded in 2019. This surge in wealth is not limited to just a few individuals but spans across multiple political parties, including the ruling JMM (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), BJP, Congress, and others.

Rameshwar Oraon, the Congress MLA from Lohardaga, topped the list with declared assets of Rs 42.20 crore. Close behind him were Kushwaha Shashi Bhushan Mehta (BJP, Panki) with Rs 32.15 crore in assets, and Sanjay Prasad Yadav (RJD, Godda), who declared assets worth Rs 29.59 crore. At the other end of the spectrum, Jairam Kumar Mahato of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JLKM), representing Dumri, had the least declared assets of just Rs 2.55 lakh.

This stark contrast between the wealthiest and the least wealthy MLAs raises important questions about the nature of political representation in the state, with many candidates accumulating wealth over the course of their political careers.

Party-wise Breakdown of Crorepati MLAs

The increase in the number of crorepati MLAs is not confined to one party but is widespread across various political affiliations. Here’s a breakdown of how wealth is distributed among the 2024 assembly's crorepati legislators:

• JMM: 28 MLAs
• BJP: 20 MLAs
• Congress: 14 MLAs
• RJD: 4 MLAs
• CPI(ML) Liberation: 2 MLAs
• Other Parties (LJP, JD(U), AJSU): 1 MLA each

The JMM, which secured the highest number of seats in the state’s recent elections, also dominates the list of crorepati MLAs. This mirrors the party’s dominance in Jharkhand politics, where it has been in power for consecutive terms. The increasing wealth of these politicians raises concerns about the growing gap between rich and poor politicians in Jharkhand.

Asset Growth Over Five Years: The Wealth Explosion

A notable trend in this election is the asset growth of many re-elected MLAs. Among the 42 re-elected candidates, their average wealth has increased by a substantial Rs 2.71 crore since the 2019 elections. This highlights the growing financial clout of political leaders, and the increasingly lucrative nature of a career in state politics.

The surge in wealth comes despite the rural economic conditions of the state, where large sections of the population continue to struggle with poverty. This growing wealth disparity between the elected representatives and the general population raises important questions about the accessibility of politics for people from humble backgrounds.

Educational and Gender Profiles of Jharkhand’s New MLAs

Alongside wealth, educational qualifications and gender representation in the assembly have also evolved. Among the newly elected MLAs, 50 are graduates or have higher qualifications, and 28 have completed education up to Class 8-12. Interestingly, one MLA holds a diploma, while another is identified as “literate,” reflecting the diverse educational background in the assembly.

In terms of gender representation, there has been a modest rise in the number of women elected to the assembly. 12 women were elected in 2024, up from 10 in 2019. While this is a positive sign of increasing female participation in politics, the percentage of women remains low, signaling the need for greater gender inclusivity in the future.

Implications of Wealth Disparities in Jharkhand’s Political Landscape

The significant rise in the wealth of Jharkhand's MLAs highlights the growing financial inequalities in the state's electoral representation. Anil Verma, Executive Director of ADR, stressed the need for greater transparency and accountability in campaign financing, calling for reforms to ensure a level playing field in elections.

The rise in wealth among political representatives may lead to greater political influence by wealthier individuals, potentially skewing policy decisions in favor of the rich. Moreover, the financial success of many MLAs raises concerns about the accessibility of politics for individuals from marginalized backgrounds.

The wealth surge in the assembly also calls for greater scrutiny of election campaign financing, with many candidates relying on private donations and party funds to run costly campaigns. Without stringent monitoring, this could lead to undue influence over the political process by wealthy donors.

Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024: A Victory for the JMM-led Alliance

In terms of electoral outcomes, the JMM-led alliance, led by Hemant Soren, achieved a resounding victory, securing 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly. This victory ensured the party's second consecutive term in power, despite a strong challenge from the BJP-led NDA, which managed to win just 24 seats.

The alliance includes the Congress, which secured 16 seats, the RJD with 4, and CPI-ML, which won 2 seats. Despite the BJP’s relatively poor performance, its representation in the assembly remains significant, with 20 seats held by BJP MLAs, including several crorepatis.

Hemant Soren: A Return as Chief Minister

With the victory in hand, Hemant Soren has formally staked his claim to form the next government in Jharkhand. In a meeting with Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Soren submitted his support letters from alliance partners, officially claiming the role of Chief Minister for a second term. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 28.

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