In Barmer's civic body polls, crorepati candidates share the ballot with a contestant worth just Rs 10,000

Affidavits filed in Barmer's Nagar Parishad election show 17 of 179 candidates are crorepatis, while one contestant has declared total assets of only Rs 10,000.

Asset details declared in affidavits by candidates contesting the Barmer Nagar Parishad election in Rajasthan have opened up a wide financial divide in the fray. Of the 179 candidates in the fray, 17 are crorepatis, while one contestant has declared total assets of just Rs 10,000. The same election ground, in other words, features candidates worth crores standing alongside those with barely any assets at all.

Damaram Mali is the wealthiest candidate
BJP candidate Damaram Mali, contesting from Ward number 19, has declared the highest assets among all contestants. Damaram Mali, who runs a business, has declared assets worth around Rs 13.57 crore in his affidavit, making him the richest candidate in the entire contest.

Several other crorepati candidates in the fray
Damaram Mali is not the only one with a substantial fortune. BJP candidate Kailash from Ward number 13 has declared assets of around Rs 6.66 crore, while BJP candidate Khimraj from Ward number 48 has declared assets of about Rs 6.32 crore. Mukesh Jain, contesting from Ward number 26, has declared assets of roughly Rs 3.93 crore. These figures show that the list of crorepati candidates is not limited to just one or two names but spans several wards.

The candidates with the least assets
On the other side, BJP candidate Hansraj from Ward number 36 has declared his total assets at just Rs 10,000, making him the candidate with the lowest declared assets in this election. Hansraj works a private job. Similarly, independent candidate Moolaram from Ward number 35 has declared assets of around Rs 12,000, placing him too among the candidates with very limited means. Both names show that contesting an election does not require a hefty bank balance.

Betting on promises, not wealth
These figures from the affidavits have intensified discussion around the financial standing of candidates in the Barmer Nagar Parishad election. In the same contest, leaders worth crores and candidates with just a handful of savings are seeking the same trust and votes from the public. Hansraj said, "Even though I don't have wealth, I will live up to the promises I have made." As campaigning continues, all candidates are reaching out to voters with their own issues and promising development in their wards if they win. The asset figures have also raised the question of whether voters will decide based on a candidate's wealth or on their promises and groundwork.

What this means for you
The affidavit disclosures give voters a direct way to weigh a candidate's financial background before casting their vote.

• Across India: Mandatory asset disclosure in affidavits for civic body elections gives voters nationwide a tool to assess a candidate's financial standing before voting, keeping local body polls transparent.
• In Barmer: Voters in Barmer now know exactly which wards have crorepati candidates and which have contestants with very limited assets. Wards 19, 13, 48 and 26 have wealthy candidates in the fray, while wards 36 and 35 have candidates with far fewer resources.
• Effect on candidates: Low-asset candidates like Hansraj and Moolaram may face a resource crunch during campaigning, while crorepati candidates could face voter questions over their wealth.
• What comes next: Campaigning is still underway, and the results will show whether voters prioritised a candidate's wealth or their promises and local issues. The winning councillor will be held accountable for development work in the ward.

Questions & Answers

1. How many candidates are contesting the Barmer Nagar Parishad election in total?
A total of 179 candidates are contesting the Nagar Parishad election.

2. How many of these candidates are crorepatis?
Of the 179 candidates, 17 have declared assets worth crores of rupees.

3. Which candidate has the highest declared assets?
BJP candidate Damaram Mali from Ward number 19 has declared assets of around Rs 13.57 crore.

4. Which candidate has the lowest declared assets?
BJP candidate Hansraj from Ward number 36 has declared assets of just Rs 10,000.

5. What does Hansraj do for a living?
Hansraj works a private job.

6. What is Damaram Mali's profession?
Damaram Mali is a businessman.

7. How much are independent candidate Moolaram's assets?
Moolaram has declared assets of around Rs 12,000.

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