Altogether 112 out of 174 candidates in the fray for Mizoram assembly elections are crorepatis, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State president Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau being the richest among them with declared assets worth nearly ₹69 crore.
According to the affidavits of the candidates accessed by PTI, 64.4% of the candidates declared assets worth ₹1 crore or more.
With declared assets valued at ₹68.93 crore, AAP’s Mizoram president Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau is the richest. He contesting from Aizawl North-III constituency.
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Pachuau is followed by R Vanlaltluanga (Serchhip seat) of the Congress with ₹55.6 crore assets while H Ginzalala (Champhai North) of the Zoram People's Movement is in the third position with a declared asset of ₹36.9 crore.
The source of their income is business, according to their affidavits.
Ramhlun-Edena, an independent candidate from Serchhip seat, is the poorest. He has movable assets worth ₹1,500.
In his affidavit uploaded in the Election Commission website, BJP nominee J.B. Rualchhinga from Lawngtlai West has mistakenly declared his assets as worth ₹90.32 crore. The party has sought rectification from the election department.
In the 2018 assembly polls, MNF nominee Lalrinenga Sailo (Hachhek) was the richest with declared assets valued at ₹100 crore, followed by party colleague Robert Romawia Royte (Aizawl East-II) who had assets worth ₹44 crore.
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However, Sailo's assets have significantly reduced to ₹26.24 crore and that of Royte to ₹32.24 crore this time.
Of the 16 women candidates, Congress nominee Meriam L. Hrangchal (Lunglei South) is the richest with assets worth ₹18.63 crore.
MNF president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga is the richest among the presidents of five contesting political parties with assets worth ₹5 crore.
ZPM chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, who seeks public mandate from Serchhip seat, has assets worth ₹4 crore.
While Mizoram Congress president Lalsawta (Aizawl West-III) has declared assets worth ₹6 crore, BJP president Vanlalhmuaka (Dampa) is in possession of assets worth ₹31.31 lakh.
Five candidates — three from ZPM and one each from MNF and BJP — have pending criminal cases.
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In the 2018 polls, nine candidates, including Zoramthanga and former chief minister Lal Thanhawla, had criminal cases pending against them.
Deputy Chief Minister Tawnpui, who is contesting from Tuichang seat for the second time, is the eldest among the candidates. He is 80.
At 31 years, woman candidate Lalruatfeli Hlawndo, who is contesting from two seats as an independent, and BJP nominee F Vanhmingthanga are the youngest.
