SHILLONG, Feb 12 NNN: Of the 345 contesting candidates, poll bound Meghalaya is all set to witness as many as 113 “crorepatis” candidates, 13 candidates with criminal backgrounds besides more than 20 under matriculation candidates who are all out to join the fray to be ‘public representatives’ in the upcoming February 23, Meghalaya Assembly elections.
This was revealed by the Meghalaya Election Watch (MEW) today after it had analyzed the affidavits of 341 out of 345 candidates who are contesting in the upcoming polls.
“We have analyzed the affidavits of 341 candidates for public and electorate information about the candidate’s assets, income, educational qualification and criminal background which was declared in their affidavits sworn in by them,” a member of the Meghalaya Election Watch, Jaskir Singh said.
According to the analyzed report of the MEW, the ruling Congress is fielding 35 “crorepati” candidates including four women, second only to the 38 others who joined the 2013 poll battle as independents.
The ally of the ruling Congress, the United Democratic Party (UDP) have 23 ‘crorepati’ candidates while 17 others belonged to the Opposition NPP, HSPDP, SP, NCP and the BJP, MEW member Agnes Kharshiing said.
Congress’ Ngaitlang Dhar, who is contesting from Umroi Assembly seat, is the richest with assets of over Rs 235.64 crore, followed by Jropsing Nongkhlaw (Cong) from Shella Assembly constituency and Metbah Lyngdoh (UDP) from Mairang Assembly constituency with assets worth over Rs 52 crore and over Rs 37 crore, respectively.
Mukul Sangma CM and his wife who is also joining the electoral politics this year for the first time, Dickanchi D Shira, have declared assets worth over Rs 28 crore. Ten women candidates, including Shira, the wife of CM, were crorepatis. Four belonged to Congress while six others are contesting on NPP (1), UDP (1) tickets and three as independents.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/13-crorepatis-in-fray-at-meghalaya/
