Mizoram polls: 112 out of 174 candidates are Crorepatis; State AAP chief richest with assets worth Rs 68.93 crore

Of the 174 candidates contesting the Mizoram Assembly elections, a total of 112 candidates are crorepatis, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state president Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau being the richest person with declared assets of around Rs 69 crore.

According to the affidavits of the candidates accessed by PTI, 64.4 percent of the candidates have declared assets worth Rs 1 crore or more.

AAP's Mizoram president Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau is the richest with declared assets of Rs 68.93 crore. He is contesting from Aizawl North-III constituency.

Pachuau is followed by Congress's R Vanlalatluanga (Serchhip seat) with assets worth Rs 55.6 crore, while Joram People's Movement's H Ginjalala (Champhai North) is at the third position with declared assets of Rs 36.9 crore. According to his affidavit, his source of income is business.

Ramhlun-Edena, the independent candidate from the Serchhip seat, is the poorest. He has movable assets worth Rs 1500.

In his affidavit uploaded on the Election Commission website, BJP candidate from Longtlai West JB Rualchinga has erroneously declared his assets worth Rs 90.32 crore. The party has demanded improvements in this from the election department.

In the 2018 assembly elections, MNF candidate Lalrinenga Selo (Hachek) was the richest with declared assets of Rs 100 crore, followed by party colleague Robert Romawia Royte (Aizawl East-II), who had assets of Rs 44 crore.

However, this time the assets of Cello have reduced significantly to Rs 26.24 crore and that of Royte to Rs 32.24 crore.

Of the 16 women candidates, Congress candidate Maryam L. Hrangchal (Lunglei South) is the richest with assets worth Rs 18.63 crore.

MNF president and Chief Minister Zoramthanga is the richest among the presidents of the five competing political parties with assets worth Rs 5 crore.

ZPM's chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma, who is seeking a mandate from the Serchhip seat, has assets worth Rs 4 crore. While Mizoram Congress president Lalsawta (Aizawl West-III) has declared assets worth Rs 6 crore, BJP president Vanlalhamuaka (Dampa) has assets worth Rs 31.31 lakh.

Five candidates – three from ZPM and one each from MNF and BJP – have criminal cases pending against them.

In the 2018 elections, criminal cases were pending against 9 candidates, including Zoramthanga and former Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla.

Deputy Chief Minister Tawanpui, who is contesting from Tuichang seat for the second time, is the eldest among the candidates. He is 80 years old.

Female candidate Lalruatfeli Hlavando, 31, who is contesting as an independent from two seats, and BJP candidate F Wanhamingthanga are the youngest.