The average wealth of 61 candidates who are re-contesting in the upcoming Assembly elections has increased by 77 per cent in the last five years.
Of these, the assets of UDP president and Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh have increased by 68 per cent to Rs 146.31 crore in the last five years.
This is according to the report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Meghalaya Election Watch.
Lyngdoh, who is the richest candidate to fight the 2023 Assembly elections, had declared assets of Rs 87.26 crore in the 2018 elections.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma reported an increase in his assets, from Rs 5.33 crore in 2018 to Rs 14.06 crore in 2023 — a jump of 164 per cent.
Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had the highest increase in his assets in the last five years at 607 per cent.
Dhar, who is seeking re-election from Nartiang constituency as an NPP candidate, had declared assets of Rs 6 crore in 2018. In 2023, his wealth increased to Rs 45 crore as per his declaration.
The assets of Power Minister James Sangma, who is seeking re-election from Dadenggre constituency, have increased by 568 per cent.
In the 2018 elections, Sangma declared assets worth Rs 7 crore. In 2023, he declared that his wealth had increased to Rs 53 crore.
