Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 24
Politics seems to be an extremely lucrative profession in Nagaland. According to an analysis by Nagaland Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), the average asset of re-contesting legislators in 2018 was Rs 4.31 crores, showing an a growth of Rs. 1.24 crores or 41% from 2013.
In 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in 2013, their average asset was Rs. 3.06 crores. Of the 193 candidates analysed, 53 of them are re-contesting in the 2018 elections.
Out of this, the ruling Nagas People’s Front (NPF) has 28 legislators re-contesting while the newly formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has 12. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the National People’s Party (NPP) has 9 and 3 respectively.
According to the analysis, among those re-contesting, NPF’s Yitachu registered the highest growth in asset. Yitachu, who holds charge of the School Education Department, saw his asset increase from Rs. 6.72 crores in 2013 to Rs 17.56 crores in 2018 – an increase of Rs. 10.84 crores or 161% increase.
Former Home Minister G. Kaito Aye, who recently joined the Janata Dal (U) and will be contesting from Satakha, is second on the list with an asset increase of Rs. 10.79 crores from Rs. 3.53 crores in 2013 to Rs. 14.32 crores in 2018 – an increase of 305%.
Vikheho Swu was third on the list. The former Roads & Bridges Minister saw the highest asset increase in terms of percentage registering a whopping 500% growth from Rs. 1.34 crores in 2013 to Rs. 8.06 crores in 2018 – richer by Rs. 6.72 crores.
Former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio saw a 21% increase in assets – registering Rs. 36.42 crores in 2018 as compared to Rs. 30.07 crores in 2013.
Rio’s movable assets totaled Rs 10.23 crores; it includes a Land Cruiser Prado and a BMW Mini F56 Cooper. In addition, Rio, who resigned as Lok Sabha MP after being elected unopposed to the 10 Northern Angami II A/C, has immovable assets declared at Rs 17.91 crores. Rio’s income source, according to the affidavit, include his salary and allowance as an MP, rental income, interest income and agriculture income.
Kuzholuzo Nienu, Amenba Yaden, Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire, Noke Konyak, N. Jacob Zhimomi and Khriehu Liezietsu completed the top 10 with each registering between Rs. 2 crores to Rs. 6 crores increase in asset.
Incumbent Chief Minister TR Zeliang found no mention in the ADR report of re-contesting MLAs. However, a look at Zeliang’s affidavit of 2018 shows his worth at Rs 3.19 crores. In 2013, he had declared assets of Rs. 1.96 crore – showing an increase of Rs. 1.23 crores or 62.76%. Interestingly, the Chief Minister’s affidavit shows that he has no cars to his name.
Ten of the re-contesting candidates registered a decrease in assets. They include: Longrineken, Vikho-o Yhoshu, Eshak Konyak, EE Pangteang, P Longon, S Pangyu Phom, Dr. T Myingthungo Lotha, Tokheho, C. Apok Jamir, and Nuklutoshi.
It must be noted that the assets include both movable and immovable assets, including approximation of current market value of holdings like agricultural land as well as other properties.
According to the report, the elections to the 13th NLA on February 27 will witness the super rich battle each other in the 60-seat assembly. Altogether, 59% of the 193 contestants or 114 candidates contesting the elections cross the threshold of ‘crorepati’ marking a progressive increase from 28% crorepatis in 2008, and 46% in 2013. In 2008, 58 of 211 candidates were crorepatis, while 85 of 187 were crorepatis in 2013. (Affidavits of only 193 candidates were analysed as the other three were unclear).
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