The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has finally made public the affidavits of candidates contesting the upcoming civic elections, providing voters with crucial insights into their financial standing, educational background, and criminal records. The documents were uploaded late on Monday night, just in time for voters to scrutinize the profiles of the 993 individuals in the fray.
A Tale of Two Extremes: From Crores to Lakhs
The affidavits paint a picture of extreme economic disparity among the contenders. At the very top of the financial spectrum sits BJP candidate Virendra Kukreja from Ward 1 (D). He has declared total family assets worth a staggering Rs 94.94 crore. This fortune comprises Rs 71.08 crore in movable assets and Rs 23.86 crore in immovable properties. His affidavit also lists substantial liabilities of Rs 62.29 crore. A businessman by profession and a Class 12 pass, Kukreja's declared wealth shows a phenomenal increase of 466% from Rs 16.76 crore in 2017.
In stark contrast, representing the lower end is Independent candidate Komal Chaudhary from Ward 12 (D). A Class 12 pass housewife, Chaudhary has declared total family assets of just Rs 7.78 lakh, with no liabilities and an annual income below Rs 3 lakh. This vast chasm highlights the diverse economic backgrounds from which candidates are emerging to serve the city.
Educational Diversity and Women in the Fray
The educational qualifications of the candidates are just as varied as their bank balances. On one hand, former mayor and current BJP candidate from Ward 12 (B), Maya Iwnate, has studied only up to Class 5. She has declared family assets worth Rs 4.06 crore, primarily in property. On the other hand, BJP's Sandip Gawai from Ward 35 (A), a postgraduate, reported total family assets of Rs 10.39 crore.
Women candidates are prominent across party lines, often listing multiple professional roles. Congress candidate Kumudini Gudadhe from Ward 38 (B), wife of AICC secretary Prafulla Gudadhe Patil, is an MA graduate. She declared family assets of Rs 27.10 crore, liabilities of Rs 3.59 crore, and an annual income of Rs 34.08 lakh, listing her occupation as a mix of job and business. Similarly, young BJP candidate Shivani Dani from Ward 36 (C), a BSc graduate, declared assets of Rs 3.22 crore and described her background as encompassing salaried work, business, and management consultancy.
Criminal Records and No Clear Political Pattern
A few affidavits also brought criminal records to light. Independent candidate Sunil Agrawal from Ward 14 (D), who declared assets of Rs 69.78 lakh, disclosed two criminal cases against him. Such disclosures, however, were few among the affidavits reviewed.
An analysis of the data suggests that neither immense wealth nor high formal education follows a uniform pattern across political parties in these civic elections. Candidates from the BJP, Congress, various NCP factions, and Independents are spread across the entire spectrum of declared assets and educational qualifications. This release of affidavits finally arms Nagpur's electorate with vital information to make an informed choice at the polls.
