Aizawl, Oct 25 : In Mizoram’s upcoming assembly elections, a total of 112 out of the 174 candidates vying for seats are crorepati candidates, according to data accessed by PTI. The wealthiest among them is the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) state president, Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau, who has declared assets valued at nearly Rs 69 crore. These assets place him in the top spot, and he is contesting from the Aizawl North-III constituency.
Following Pachuau in the list of richest candidates are R Vanlaltluanga of the Congress, competing for the Serchhip seat, with assets worth Rs 55.6 crore, and H Ginzalala of the Zoram People’s Movement, who is running for the Champhai North seat, with declared assets of Rs 36.9 crore. Their source of income, as per their affidavits, is business.
In contrast, Ramhlun-Edena, an independent candidate from the Serchhip seat, has declared the lowest assets, with a value of just Rs 1,500.
A noteworthy mention is the mistake in the asset declaration of BJP nominee JB Rualchhinga from Lawngtlai West, who mistakenly stated his assets at Rs 90.32 crore. The party has sought rectification from the election department.
Comparing to the previous 2018 assembly polls, MNF nominee Lalrinenga Sailo, who contested from Hachhek, was the richest with assets valued at Rs 100 crore. In the same elections, his party colleague Robert Romawia Royte, running for the Aizawl East-II seat, had assets worth Rs 44 crore. However, in this election, Sailo’s assets have significantly reduced to Rs 26.24 crore, and Royte’s to Rs 32.24 crore.
Among the 16 women candidates, Congress nominee Meriam L. Hrangchal (Lunglei South) stands out as the wealthiest with assets worth Rs 18.63 crore.
MNF president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga is the wealthiest among the presidents of the five contesting political parties, with assets worth Rs 5 crore. ZPM chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, who is seeking public mandate from the Serchhip seat, has assets worth Rs 4 crore. Mizoram Congress president Lalsawta (Aizawl West-III) has declared assets worth Rs 6 crore, while BJP president Vanlalhmuaka (Dampa) has assets worth Rs 31.31 lakh.
Five candidates, three from ZPM and one each from MNF and BJP, have pending criminal cases, as opposed to nine candidates in the 2018 elections, including notable figures like Zoramthanga and former chief minister Lal Thanhawla.
The candidates’ ages also vary significantly. Deputy Chief Minister Tawnpui, contesting for the Tuichang seat for the second time, is the oldest at 80 years. In contrast, the youngest candidates are 31-year-old woman candidate Lalruatfeli Hlawndo, who is contesting from two seats as an independent, and BJP nominee F Vanhmingthanga.
