All preparations have been completed for the assembly elections to be held in Tamil Nadu. There are elections in the state on 23 April. Meanwhile, important revelations have come to light regarding the background of the candidates contesting the elections. According to the report released by ADR (Association for Democratic Reforms), about 18 percent of the candidates contesting the elections have declared criminal cases registered against them, while 25 percent of the candidates have assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.
The report said that a total of 3,992 candidates’ affidavits were analysed, out of which 722 (18%) candidates have criminal cases registered against them. Of these, 404 (10%) candidates have reported serious criminal cases. This figure was less in the 2021 assembly elections, when 13 percent i.e. 466 candidates had criminal cases registered against them and 6 percent i.e. 207 had serious cases registered against them.
Of the 170 candidates whose affidavits were analyzed, 118 (69) of AIADMK candidates, 92 (40) of 231 Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) candidates, 70 (40) of 175 DMK candidates, 16 (48) of 33 BJP candidates, 14 (50) of 28 Congress candidates, Pattali Makkal 9 out of 18 candidates from Katchi (50%), 5 out of 10 candidates from Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam, 3 out of five candidates from CPI (60%) and 4 out of five candidates from CPI(M) have declared criminal cases registered against them in the affidavits.
The wealth figure is also shocking
Of the candidates whose affidavits were analyzed, 981 (25 per cent) are crorepatis, while 22 (0.55 per cent) are billionaires, meaning their wealth is more than Rs 100 crore. Two (7%) of 28 Congress candidates, seven (4%) of 175 DMK candidates, three (2%) of 170 AIADMK candidates, one (6%) of 18 candidates of Pattali Makkal Katchi, one (9%) of 11 candidates of Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and eight (3%) of 231 candidates of Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam declared assets worth more than Rs 100 crore. Is of.
Meanwhile, 27 (96) of 28 Congress candidates, 170 (97) of 175 DMK candidates, 160 (94) of 170 AIADMK candidates, 31 (94) of 33 BJP candidates, 16 (89) of 18 Pattali Makkal Katchi candidates, 10 of 10 DMDK candidates, 10 of Tamil Nadu Vetra Kazhagam Of the 231 candidates, 156 (68%) and three (60%) of the five CPI candidates have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.
Number of candidates with assets more than Rs 100 crore in different parties-
- Congress: 2 candidates
- DMK: 7 candidates
- AIADMK: 3 candidates
- PMK: 1 candidate
- Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam: 1 candidate
- TVK: 8 candidates
Average wealth Rs 5.17 crore
The average assets of each candidate contesting in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections 2026 is Rs 5.17 crore, while in 2021 it was Rs 1.72 crore. Mohan Kumar M (All India Jananayaka Makkal Kazhagam) and independent candidates T Selvaraj, Gunasekaran P and A Jegan Salamondos have declared zero assets. According to the report, 1711 (43%) candidates have stated their educational qualification to be between class five to class twelve, while 1822 (46%) candidates have stated their educational qualification to be graduation or above. 301 candidates are diploma holders, 95 candidates are illiterate and 56 candidates are only literate. Of these, only 442 (11 percent) candidates are women.
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SK Sharma is a content writer who writes on news, entertainment, and lifestyle topics. She has over four years of experience and is known for conveying information in simple and clear language.
