A comparative analysis by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has found a sharp rise in the declared assets of sitting legislators seeking re-election in the Assam Assembly elections 2026, with average assets for re-contesting MLAs increasing by nearly 80% compared with 2021. ADR’s review of affidavits filed with the Election Commission of India (ECI) shows 83 re-contesting MLAs now report average assets of Rs 7.52 crore, up from Rs 4.17 crore in 2021 — an increase of about Rs 3.34 crore.
The party-wise breakdown highlights pronounced gains among major parties. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with 45 re-contesting MLAs, recorded average assets of Rs 9.05 crore in 2026, against Rs 4.66 crore in 2021 — a rise of 94.24%. The Indian National Congress’s 14 re-contesting MLAs reported average assets of Rs 6.13 crore, up from Rs 3.89 crore in 2021, a 57.32% increase.
Regional players also show significant growth in declared wealth. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) saw average assets climb to Rs 6.51 crore, a 53.21% rise, while the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) recorded an 88.87% jump — from Rs 2.24 crore in 2021 to Rs 4.24 crore in 2026. Among smaller parties, the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) registered a 143.93% increase, and the United People’s Party Liberal (UPPL) posted the largest percentage surge at 222.8%, a figure ADR notes comes from a smaller sample size.
Independent legislators who are re-contesting also reported higher assets, with their average rising 30.96% to Rs 11.40 crore. Other parties showed mixed changes: the All India Trinamool Congress reported an 89.75% increase, while the Communist Party of India (Marxist) saw a more modest rise of 38.61%.
ADR’s report, grounded in the affidavits candidates submit to the ECI, underscores a broader trend: the growing financial strength of incumbents seeking another term. The analysis points to the increasing role of personal wealth in electoral politics in Assam, a development that may have implications for campaign financing, candidate selection and voter perceptions ahead of the polls.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/elections/story/adr-report-assets-of-re-contesting-mlas-surge-80-on-average-bjp-aiudf-see-sharp-rise-in-assam-1368403-2026-03-31?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-03-31 20:32:00
