Mizoram Assembly Elections: As per the affidavits submitted to the Election Commission, Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau, the State Unit President of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), emerges as the wealthiest candidate contesting in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly elections.
Aizawl: Out of a total of 174 candidates in the Mizoram Legislative Assembly elections, a staggering 112 candidates have declared assets worth crores of rupees. This data is based on the affidavits submitted by the candidates to the Election Commission. Among these wealthy contenders, Andrew Lalremkima Pachuau, the State Unit President of AAP, stands out as the richest candidate, declaring assets of approximately 69 crore rupees. Moreover, 64.4% of the candidates have declared assets worth one crore rupees or more. Andrew, with declared assets of 68.93 crore rupees, is the wealthiest candidate and is contesting from the Aizawl North constituency.
Second Place Held by R. Vanlalhruaia: In terms of assets, R. Vanlalhruaia from the Congress party (Serchhip seat) comes in second place. He has declared assets worth 55.6 crore rupees. H. Lalzuala from the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM), contesting from Champhai North, holds the third position with declared assets of 36.9 crore rupees. According to the affidavits, their main source of income is business.
Ramlun-Edenna with the Least Assets: Ramlun-Edenna, an independent candidate from the Serchhip constituency, possesses the least amount of assets, valuing at a mere 1,500 rupees. On the Election Commission’s website, there’s an unusual incident where J. B. Rualchhinga, the BJP candidate from Lungtalai, accidentally declared assets worth 90.32 crore rupees. The party has requested the Election Commission to rectify this.
R.Lalrinenga Soloed as the Wealthiest in 2018: Before this election, in the 2018 Legislative Assembly elections, Lalthangmawia Sailo from the Mizo National Front (MNF) was the wealthiest candidate, declaring assets worth 100 crore rupees. Following him was Robert Romawia Royte from MNF, contesting from Aizawl East II, with assets valued at 44 crore rupees. This time, Sailo’s assets decreased to 26.24 crore rupees, while Royte’s assets increased to 32.24 crore rupees.
Congress’s Mariam A.L.Hrangchal is the Wealthiest: In the electoral arena where 16 female candidates are trying their luck, Congress candidate Mariam A.L.Hrangchal from Lunglei South stands as the wealthiest with assets worth 18.63 crore rupees. Jothamthanga, the MNF President and Chief Minister, has the highest assets among the chiefs of five rival political parties, with declared assets of five crore rupees. Three candidates from ZPM, MNF, and BJP, as well as nine independent candidates, face criminal charges, while Jothamthanga and former Chief Minister Lalthanhawla, among others, faced criminal charges in nine cases during the 2018 elections. Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia, who is contesting from the Tuirial seat for the second time, is the oldest among the candidates at 80 years, while female candidate Lalruatfeli Hlawndo and BJP candidate F. Vanlalvena are the youngest candidates at 31 years of age.
