Wealth declared by candidates in affidavits ahead of Delhi polls

As the Delhi Assembly elections approach, the financial profiles of key political candidates have come into sharp focus following their nomination filings. The elections, scheduled for February 5, will witness intense competition among the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Congress. Recent asset declarations reveal shifts in candidates’ wealth, offering insights into their financial standings as they seek voter support.

Asset declarations of key candidates

Arvind Kejriwal (AAP founder and former Delhi Delhi Chief Minister)

• Total assets: Rs 1.73 crore
• Change: Decreased by Rs 14 lakh from Rs 1.87 crore in 2020

Kejriwal’s affidavit lists movable assets worth Rs 3.46 lakh and immovable assets valued at Rs 1.70 crore. His wife, Sunita Kejriwal, reported an increase in her net worth to Rs 2.5 crore, a rise of Rs 93 lakh since 2020.

Atishi (AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister)

• Total assets: Rs 76.93 lakh
• Change: Increased by Rs 17 lakh from Rs 59.79 lakh in 2020

Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma (BJP leader and former Member of Parliament)

• Total assets: Rs 90.08 crore
• Change: An extraordinary increase of Rs 80.43 crore from Rs 9.65 crore during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections

Verma’s financial profile reveals liabilities of Rs 62.82 crore, sparking questions about his financial management despite his wealth.

Sandeep Dikshit (Congress leader and former Member of Parliament )

• Total assets: Rs 6.18 crore
• Change: Increased from Rs 5.92 crore as declared in his 2024 Lok Sabha affidavit

Dikshit’s candidacy aims to revive Congress’s presence in Delhi, where the party has struggled to secure any seats in recent elections.

Manish Sisodia (AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister )

• Total assets: Rs 57.43 lakh
• Change: Increased from Rs 25.74 lakh

Sisodia’s steady financial growth is evident, with notable increases in his movable assets.

Satyender Jain (AAP leader and former Delhi Health Minister)

• Total assets: Rs 4.42 crore
• Change: Increased by Rs 4 lakh from his 2020 affidavit

Ramesh Bidhuri (BJP leader and former Member of Parliament)

• Total assets: Rs 14.87 crore
• Change: Increased by Rs 1.73 crore from his previous declaration

Bidhuri’s rising assets reflect his growing influence within the BJP as he contests from Kalkaji against Atishi.

Kailash Gehlot (BJP leader and former Delhi Transport Minister)

• Total assets: Rs 34.22 crore
• Change: Increased by Rs 1.06 crore from his 2020 declaration

Alka Lamba (Congress leader)

• Total assets: Rs 3.41 crore
• Change: Increased by Rs 20.12 lakh from her 2020 assembly election declaration

Lamba’s return to the political arena represents Congress’s strategy to field established names against AAP incumbents.

Avadh Ojha (AAP leader)

• Total assets: Rs 2.22 crore

As the February 5 election date nears, these asset declarations are likely to influence public perception and voter decisions.

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With results set to be announced on February 8, 2025, all eyes are on how these financial profiles shape the electoral dynamics in Delhi’s fiercely competitive political landscape.