NEW DELHI, Jan 24 (CNN-IBN) : Manipur, a state often forgotten in mainland India does not lag far behind when it comes to money power to win elections. With 291 politicians from 8 parties vying for 60 seats in the state assembly, the January 28 Manipur elections has crorepatis gearing up to win the polls.
But surprisingly Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh is not even a crorepati, his declared assets are being questioned by many. He owns just a 1988-make Ambassador and 240 gm of gold. From just Rs 6 lakhs in 2007, his asset value has now gone up to Rs 71 lakhs. But for a man rumoured to have properties across the country – from Gurgaon to Bangalore to Goa, the valuation seems to be small change.
The maximum growth in assets has been for state`s powerful information and tourism minister TN Haokip`s assets have grown by over Rs 9.77 Crore.
Haokip is followed by his party`s Kh Govindas with an asset growth of over Rs 2.1 Crore and Haokholet Kipgen of National People`s Party whose assets increased by Rs Rs 2.09 Crore.
Among the richest candidates in the fray also include NCP`s Radhabinod Koijam with Rs 1.13 crore. Koijam`s wife`s assets is worth Rs 70 lakh. Trinamool Congress has two members in crorepati club – T Thangzalam Haokip with Rs 2.36 crore and Kongkham Manglam Singh (Mayang Imphal constituency) with Rs 1.30 crore and immovable assets worth Rs 1 crore.
TMC, meanwhile, also has the poorest candidate; Khadga Bahadur has declared himself as penniless in his affidavit.
While 33 crorepatis have jumped into the fray to get elected, affidavits filed by sitting MLAs show that many have turned nouveau rich.
Since 2007, Average assets of each recontesting MLAs have jumped at least 4 times to Rs 1.2 crore in 2012 from Rs 24 lakhs which means a growth of a whopping 414 per cent.
Clearly, money is not in shortage when it comes to Manipur but in a tax-less part of India, it`s very easy to hide your actual assets.