TMC tops crorepati candidate list in first phase of Bengal polls, ADR report shows

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has emerged as the party with the highest number of crorepati candidates in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, according to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The first phase of polling is scheduled for April 23, covering 152 constituencies with a total of 1,478 candidates in the fray.

As per the report, 106 candidates fielded by the Trinamool Congress have declared assets worth more than ₹1 crore, making it the leading party in terms of crorepati representation. The TMC has fielded 148 candidates in this phase, with around 72 per cent of them falling under the crorepati category based on their declared movable and immovable assets submitted in affidavits to the Election Commission.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) follows with 71 candidates declaring assets above ₹1 crore among its 152 nominees. The Congress has 50 such candidates, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has 24 crorepati candidates in the first phase. The report also highlights that all three of the wealthiest candidates in this phase belong to the TMC.

Among them, Jakir Hussain from Jangipur has declared assets exceeding ₹133 crore, making him the richest candidate in the phase. Goutam Mishra from Barjora has declared assets worth over ₹105 crore and also holds the highest declared liabilities of more than ₹20 crore. Another TMC candidate, Kabi Dutta from Durgapur West, has declared assets exceeding ₹72 crore, with all three candidates primarily engaged in business activities.