The question of wealth and income of public representatives in India frequently generates fascination and interest, but unfortunately, often for dubious reasons.

Irrespective of their political affiliations, many politicians have amassed significant fortunes, acquiring lavish estates, extensive car collections, and valuable properties. The sources of their wealth often remain enigmatic, with some attributing it to family inheritances.

Recently, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) conducted a comprehensive study encompassing 28 states and two union territories, revealing the top ten wealthiest MLAs in India.

Interestingly, the top three MLAs in the list come from Karnataka. While the two of these representatives are from the Congress, none of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from Karnataka have made it to the list.

Moreover, the list prepared by ADR also includes two serving deputy Chief Ministers and one serving Chief Minister.

1. D K Shivakumar, INC

D K Shivakumar, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and incumbent Deputy Chief Minister of the state, holds the distinguished distinction of being the wealthiest member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in India. His financial standing is esteemed at an astonishing sum of Rs 1,413 crore in assets.

The study meticulously scrutinized the financial disclosures and declarations of various politicians across the nation, aiming to shed light on their economic positions and sources of affluence.

Among the diverse array of political figures, D K Shivakumar stands out as a prominent example of extraordinary financial prowess within the political sphere.

2. K H Puttaswamy Gowda, IND

K H Puttaswamy Gowda, the MLA representing Karnataka's Gauribidanur constituency since the year 2023, is placed second in the list.

His ascent to this position was marked by a remarkable feat – an electoral victory achieved as an Independent candidate, garnering an impressive mandate of over 46.37 per cent of the total votes cast.

His assets are valued at Rs 1,267 crore.

3. Priyakrishna, INC

Priya Krishna of the Congress achieved a impressive feat by winning the MLA seat from Karnataka's Govindraj Nagar constituency in 2009 at the young age of 25.

The eldest son of former Karnataka minister M Krishnappa, he holds the distinction of being the youngest MLA in the state and was reelected in 2023 with over 50 per cent vote share.

In the 2018 assembly elections, he received attention for being the candidate with the highest wealth in the competition, possessing a personal fortune surpassing Rs 1,156 crore.

4. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, TDP

Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who served as the Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh from 1995 to 2004 and later as the Chief Minister of Andhra from 2014 to 2019, is placed at the fourt spot.

He currently serves as the leader of the opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He held the same position from 2004 to 2014 as well.

Naidum, the longest-serving Chief Minister of United Andhra Pradesh, commands a fortune valued at Rs 668 crores.

5. Jayantibhai Somabhai Patel, BJP

Jayantibhai Somabhai Patel, also known as J.S. Patel, is a candidate from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who contested in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections from the Mansa constituency.

According to the affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, Patel has declared a total of Rs 661 crore in assets.

6. B S Suresh Byrathi, INC

Byrathi Suresh currently holds the position of Cabinet Minister in the Government of Karnataka and represents the Hebbal constituency.

He started his political career in 2012 by becoming a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC). In 2018, he resigned from his MLC position to run in the assembly elections and successfully won the Hebbal seat.

Presently, Suresh has a declared net worth of Rs 648 crore.

7. Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy, YSRCP

Yeduguri Sandinti Jagan Mohan Reddy, also known as Y S Jaganmohan Reddy,is the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh since May 2019.

Son of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who served as th Chief Minister of the undivided Andhra Pradesh, Reddy's political journey began when he won the Member of Parliament (MP) seat from Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency. Following his father's demise in a helicopter crash in 2009, he formed his own party, the YSRCP.

Presently, Reddy has assets worth Rs 510 crore. He is the only serving Chief Minister of a state who is part of the list.

8. Parag Shah, BJP

Parag Kishorchandra Shah is an Indian real estate developer and politician affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party. He was elected as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly representing the Ghatkopar East constituency in 2019.

In the 2017 Brihanmumbai Mahanagar Palika (BMC) election, Shah ran for office in ward 132 and emerged victorious. He was the wealthiest candidate in the election.

During the 2019 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly election, Shah contested in the Ghatkopar East constituency. He declared his property to be worth Rs 500 crores, making him the richest candidate in the election. Shah secured a victory with a margin of 53,319 votes.

9. T S Baba, INC

Tribhuvaneshwar Saran Singh Deo is the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. He currently serves as the Cabinet Minister for Health in the Chhattisgarh government. In the past, he has held the position of the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.

Deo has won the Ambikapur Assembly Constituency three times since 2008. In the most recent 2018 elections, he secured a victory with a margin of 39,624 votes against his opponent from the BJP, Anurag Singh Deo.

He is the richest member of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly with a net worth of over Rs 500 crore.

10. Mangal Prabhat Lodha, BJP

Mangal Prabhat Lodha is a prominent Indian businessman and politician. He currently serves as the Minister of Tourism and the Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for the state of Maharashtra.

In addition to his political roles, Lodha is the founder of Macrotech Developers, a real estate development company based in Mumbai.

He represents the Malabar Hill constituency of South Mumbai as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.

With a net worth of about Rs 441 crore, Lodha secured the 37th position on the Forbes India rich list in 2022.

Top 10 richest MLAs in India

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