The assets of the 21 re-contesting MLAs, including independents fielded by different parties, has grown by 17 per cent between assembly elections of 2016 and 2021. As per the data based on the self-sworn affidavits submitted by the contesting MLAs shared by Puducherry Election Watch and Association for Democratic Reforms, the average increase has been pegged at 1.61 crores.
"The average assets of these 21 re-contesting MLAs fielded by various parties including independents in 2016 was Rs 9.56 crore. The average assets of these MLAs in 2021 is now Rs 11.17 crores. The average asset growth for these MLAs between the Puducherry Assembly Elections of 2016 and 2021 is Rs 1.61 crore. Average percentage growth in assets for these MLAs is 17 per cent," the analysis said.
While PRN Thirumurugan of All India NR Congress declared the maximum increase in assets with an increase of Rs 13.51 crores from Rs 13.02 crores in 2016 to Rs 26.53 crores in 2021, he is closely followed by N Rangasamy of All India NR Congress whose assets increased by Rs 8.86 crores from Rs 29.53 crore in 2016 to Rs 38.39 crores in 2021.
Likewise, the assets of A Baskar from AIADMK and DMK's R Siva has also increased by 5.61 crores and 5.05 crores, respectively.