May 23rd 2024.
According to a recent report, two candidates running in the fourth and final phase of the Odisha assembly elections have raised eyebrows by declaring zero assets in their affidavits. The phase, which is set to take place on June 1st, covers six Lok Sabha constituencies and 42 assembly seats.
Upon analyzing the self-sworn affidavits of 394 candidates, the Association for Democratic Reforms and Odisha Election Watch found that Sanjay Kumar Das, an Independent candidate from Dhamnagar, and Gopal Krushna Mohant, from the Ambedkarite Party of India and running in Korei, both had no assets to their name.
In addition, a number of other candidates have reported owning assets worth less than Rs 10,000. For example, Independent candidate Benudhar Mohapatra claims to have only Rs 645 in hand, while Jharanarani Jena, also running as an Independent, states that she has a mere Rs 1,000.
On the other hand, it appears that wealth is not lacking among some of the candidates. Out of the 121 candidates in the fourth phase, a significant number are reportedly "crorepatis," or millionaires. The richest candidate, Subasini Jena of the BJD party and running in the Basta segment, boasts assets worth a whopping Rs 135.17 crore. She is followed by fellow BJD member Subasini Sahoo, running in Simulia, with assets worth Rs 91.75 crore. In third place is Congress nominee Niranjan Patnaik, from Bhandaripokhari, with assets totaling Rs 86.58 crore.
The report also reveals that a concerning number of candidates have criminal cases registered against them. Out of the 394 candidates, 96 have declared such cases. On a more positive note, a significant number of candidates have at least a basic education, with 149 reporting educational qualifications ranging from classes 5 to 12, and 220 having a graduate degree or higher. Additionally, 22 candidates have a diploma, while three state that they are only literate.
It will certainly be interesting to see how these different factors play out in the upcoming phase of the Odisha assembly elections.
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