96% Haryana MLAs crorepatis, 13% face criminal cases: ADR

An analysis of the affidavits of all 90 winning candidates by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Haryana Election Watch shows a slight increase in the number of crorepati MLAs, from 93% in 2019 to 96% this time.

Of the 90 MLAs, 44% have assets worth more than 10% ₹10 crore while only 2.2% have assets below this ₹20 lakh, the data showed.

The average wealth per winning candidate is ₹24.97 crore, which is a handsome increase ₹18.29 crore in 2019.

As for the party, 96% of BJP MPs, 95% of Congress MPs and 100% of INLD and Independent winners have declared their wealth exceeds ₹1 Crore.

Independent MLA from Hisar, Savitri Jindal, tops the list with assets totaling over ₹270 crore, followed by Shakti Rani Sharma and Shruti Choudhry of the BJP ₹145 crore and ₹134 crore respectively.

A total of 30 MLAs were re-elected in 2024, with their average wealth growing by 59% since 2019 ₹9.08 crore to ₹Now 14.46 crore, which is a significant financial gain in the last five years.

Six MLAs have been charged with serious crimes

Of the winning candidates, 12 have disclosed their criminal records, including six facing serious charges and one facing attempted murder, the data shows.

In 2019, serious criminal proceedings were initiated against seven candidates.

At the party level, 19% of Congress MPs, 6% of BJP MPs and 67% of independent winners have criminal cases filed against their names.

The analysis also found that 28 winning candidates declared liabilities ₹1 crore or more, with Rajbir Fartia of the Congress from Loharu leading the table ₹44 crore. Fartia also tops the list of highest earners and reports earnings of ₹10.75 crore in his income tax return for 2023-24.

68% of winners are graduates

In terms of educational qualifications, 68% of the winners have a college degree or higher, while 29% have an educational background between grade 8 and 12, according to the report.

In the new House of Representatives, 14% are female MPs, up from 10% in 2019, while 66% of MLAs are between 51 and 80 years old.

The survey results were announced on Tuesday. The ruling BJP defied opposition and pulled off a hat-trick of victories in Haryana to retain power and halt the Congress’s comeback attempt.

While the BJP ended up with its best-ever 48 seats, 11 more than the Congress, parties like the JJP and the AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win only two seats.