Chizokho Vero
Kohima | February 13
Out of the affidavits from 186 contesting candidates in the fray for the 2013 assembly elections in Nagaland, 84 (45%) are crorepatis, according to the Nagaland Election Watch (NGEW) report. And of the 84 crorepati candidates, 40 are from NPF, 24 from INC, 17 independent, 2 NCP and 1 from UNDP.
A copy each of “Analysis of Financial, Criminal, Education, Gender and other details of Candidates Contesting in Nagaland Assembly Elections 2013” and “Asset Comparison of Re-contesting Candidates and MLAs Contesting in the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2013” was released here at The Heritage, Kohima, by YouthNet and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) under the banner Nagaland Election Watch.
The top three candidates with highest declared assets, according to the report, included K.L. Chishi of INC from Dimapur-I constituency who has a declared assets worth Rs. 50.19 crores, followed by Neiphiu Rio of NPF from Northern Angami II constituency with Rs. 30.07 crores worth of assets and I. Imkong of INC from Janpetkong constituency with assets worth Rs. 18.23 crores.
Others who figured in the list of declared asset details (Movable and immovable assets) included Tokheho (INC) at 13 Crore+, Nuklutoshi (NPF) at 13 Crore+, K. Konngam Konyak (INC) at 10 Crore+, Longrineken (NPF) at 10 Crore+, Neiba Kronu (NPF) at 9 Crore+, T.N. Mannen (NPF) at 7 Crore+, Shetoyi (NPF) at 7 Crore+, Yitachu (NPF) at 6 Crore+, C. Apok Jamir (INC) at 6 Crore+, Y. Hewoto Awomi (INC) at 6 Crore+, Zhaleo Rio (NPF) at 6 Crore+, Dr. Ngangshi K. Ao (INC) at 6 Crore+, Toyang Changkong Chang (Independent) at 6 Crore+, Y.M Yolow (Independent) at 6 Crore+, Thenucho (UNDP) at 6 Crore+, Yankithung Yanthan (INC) at 5 Crore+, Kuzholuzo Nienu (NPF) at 5 Crore+, Asu Keyho (INC) at 5 Crore+ and Vikho-o Yhoshu (NPF) at 5 Crore+.
With regard to party-wise average assets, the average asset per candidate for NPF (60 candidates) is Rs 3.02 Crore, for INC (56 candidates) is Rs 2.85 Crore, for NCP (15 candidates) is Rs 62.51 Lakhs, for BJP (11 candidates) is Rs 14.28 Lakhs and for JD (U) (3 candidates) is Rs 42.57 Lakhs.
The highest growth in assets in 5 years (2008-2013) included Neiphiu Rio of NPF from Northern Angami-II constituency. Rio’s asset has seen an increase of Rs 23.83 crore i.e from Rs 6.23 crores in 2008 to Rs. 30.07 crores in 2013. It was also mentioned that in 2008, Neiphiu Rio did not provide the information related to the value of deposits in 5 Bank Accounts and 3 Insurance Policies.
The assets of Tokheho (INC) from Dimapur-III constituency saw an increase by Rs 11.49 crore, from Rs 2.25 crore in 2008 to Rs 13.74 crore in 2013. Assets of K. Konngam Konyak (of INC from Phomching) have risen by Rs 10.62 crore, from Rs 31.50 lakhs in 2008 to Rs 10.94 crore in 2013.
Meanwhile, 12 candidates out of the 186 analyzed have declared assets less than Rs. 5 Lakhs. The candidate with the lowest asset, according to the report, is Lingko Sangtam of BJP from Seyochung Sitimi constituency who has declared that he has assets worth only Rs. 1.01 Lakhs followed by Leiyang of BJP from Phomching constituency with assets worth Rs. 1.50 lakhs and Bongkhao of INC from Tobu constituency with assets worth of Rs. 1.71 Lakhs.
3 candidates listed with criminal cases
In a significant disclosure, three candidates have been listed with criminal cases against their name. This was made known in the report released here at The Heritage by YouthNet and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) under the banner Nagaland Election Watch. The candidates with declared criminal cases are Toshipokba (NPF candidate) from Aonglenden constituency, has declared a total of 2 cases including 1 charge related to cheating. The other two are Neiba Kronu (NPF) from Pfutsero constituency who has one case related to criminal conspiracy and P. Cheong (Independent candidate) from Mon Town constituency charged under the Motor Vehicle Act. Meanwhile, as per the Analysis of Financial, Criminal, Education, Gender and other details of candidates in the fray, 136 candidates (out of 186 analyzed) are graduates or have higher degrees. Seven candidates are above 70 years of age while 25 candidates are less than 40 years.
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