Nagaland Polls: Over 30% jump in assets of 53 re-contesting MLAs; 46 crorepatis

•    Seven new entrants to ‘crorepati’ club
•    Increase in assets range from 2% to 6870%

Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 25

Since 2018, the total assets of 53 re-contesting Nagaland legislators have surged by over 30% while 46 of them (or 88.67%) are crorepatis, highlighted reports analysing the affidavits submitted to the Election Commission of India by candidates in 2018 and 2023.

The total assets of the 53 re-contesting candidates as per the reports prepared by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) stood at Rs 376,75,77,174 or Rs 376.75 crore.

This is an increase from Rs 289,71,61,783 or Rs 289.71 crore highlighted by another report published by the ADR regarding the details of sitting legislators in 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) in January 2023 after analysing affidavits submitted for the 2018 Assembly Elections.

Comparison of the figures for 2018 and 2023 indicated that the cumulative assets of re-contesting legislators in Nagaland increased by over Rs 87.04 crore during the past five years or by 30.04%. 

Accordingly, the average assets of the re-contesting MLAs fielded by various parties increased from Rs 5.46 Crore in 2018 to Rs 7.10 Crore in 2023. 

During the intervening period, the number of crorepatis among the legislators increased by 7 from 39 in 2018 to 46 in 2023. 

However, out of 53, total assets of 6 MLAs also decreased in 2023. 

From the 60-member 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), six MLAs in the 13th NLA are not seeking re-election while another passed away in January this year. 

The ADR’s report is inclusive of movable and immovable assets of legislators’ spouses and the same is included for current comparison. 

Movable assets include cash in hand, different types of deposits in banks, financial institutions, cooperative societies etc; investment in bonds, debentures/shares, NSS, Insurance Policies etc; personal loans/advance; vehicles, jewellery etc while immovable assets comprised of agricultural and non-agricultural land, commercial and residential buildings (including apartments).

Quantum of increase & decrease 
Out of all the re-contesting MLAs, the assets of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)’s candidate from Tamlu Assembly Constituency (AC) BS Nganlang Phom witnessed the highest growth.

From over Rs 21.81 lakh in 2018, his assets rose to Rs 15.27 crore in 2023, indicating an astounding 6870% growth in five years. 

The next legislator showing highest return in five years was CL John, the NDPP’s Tehok AC candidate, whose assets rose by 1211% from Rs 40.81 lakh in 2018 to Rs 5.35 crore.  

The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) candidate from Chazouba, Dr Chotisuh Sazo’s assets also increased 657% from Rs 97.96 lakh in 2018 to Rs 7.41 crore. 

Others showing over 100% surge in assets were the BJP’s H Tovihoto Ayemi (420%); NDPP’s E Eshak Konyak (382%); NPF’s Kezhienyi Khalo (326%); BJP’s Longrineken (319%); BJP’s N Jacob Zhimomi (211%); BJP’s H Haiying  (138%) and NDPP’s TR Zeliang (102%).

Overall, the increase in assets of all the 47 MLAs ranged from 0% to 6870%.

At the other end, 6 MLAs also witnessed decrease in assets. 

Pohwang Konyak, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) candidate from Phomching witnessed the sharpest -90% fall from Rs 76.39 lakh in 2018 to Rs 7.55 lakh in 2023. However, a close analysis of his affidavits indicated that his assets must have been inflated in 2018 due to typo while assessing the cost of a vehicle.  

The NDPP’s Sanis candidate Mhathung Yanthan also witnessed a 50% fall in assets from Rs 16.88 crore in 2018 to Rs 83.99 lakh. 

Assets of Naga People’s Front (NPF) Phek candidate Kuzholuzo Nienu also decreased by -34% from Rs 11.52 crore to Rs 7.58 crore during the intervening period. 

Ditto for Bhartiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Suruhoto AC candidate H Khehovi from Rs 15.17 crore to Rs 13.38 crore (-9%).
The affidavits of L Khumo Khiamniungan (LJP) and Imkong L Imchen (BJP) respectively showed -7% and -1% decrease in assets. 

‘Richest ‘and ‘Poorest’ re-contesting MLAs 
At Rs 46.95 crore, Nagaland Chief Minister and NDPP candidate from Northern Angami II AC, Neiphiu Rio was the ‘richest’ re-contesting MLA.  His assets grew by over Rs 10.53 crore during the last five years from Rs 36.41 crore  in 2018. 

The LJP’s Yitachu was the second richest with assets worth Rs 18.69 crore, followed by the NDPP’s KT Sukhalu at Rs 18.14. The NDPP’s G Gaito Aye (Rs 16.11 Crore) and Nganlang (Rs 15.27 Crore) rounded the top-five list assets holders. 

From the bottom, Pohwang was the ‘poorest’ candidate with assets worth Rs 7.55 lakh while L Khumo was at the distant second with Rs 49.22 lakh. 

Eshak was third from the bottom with Rs 55.72 lakh, followed by the Republican Party of India (Athawale) T Yangseo Sangtam at Rs 59.83 lakh and the BJP’s P Paiwang Konyak at Rs 67.85 lakh.