Mamata Banerjee is India’s poorest CM with Rs 15 lakh assets, N Chandrababu Naidu richest with Rs 931 cr

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is the wealthiest among India's chief ministers, with total assets of Rs 931 crore, according to an analysis of affidavits filed by 31 chief ministers across the country. In stark contrast, West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee ranks as the poorest, with assets worth just Rs 15.38 lakh. The report, which examines the financial details provided by the chief ministers before their last elections, highlights the significant disparity in wealth among these leaders.

The report shows that the average asset value for all 31 chief ministers is Rs 52.59 crore. This is significantly higher than India’s per capita net national income (NNI) of Rs 1,85,854 for the financial year 2023-2024. In comparison, the average self-declared income of a chief minister is Rs 13,64,310 annually, which is roughly 7.3 times the national average. The total combined assets of the 31 chief ministers amount to Rs 1,630 crore.

Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister Pema Khandu holds the second-highest assets, valued at over Rs 332 crore, while Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah follows in third place with assets worth more than Rs 51 crore. Khandu, however, has the highest liabilities among the chief ministers, totaling Rs 180 crore. Naidu’s liabilities stand at more than Rs 10 crore, and Siddaramaiah’s liabilities amount to Rs 23 crore. These figures demonstrate not only the assets but also the financial obligations of these leaders.

Jammu and Kashmir's Omar Abdullah, with assets of Rs 55.24 lakh, and Kerala's Pinarayi Vijayan, with assets worth Rs 1.18 crore, are among the poorest chief ministers in India. The vast difference in asset values reflects the economic disparity across India's regional leadership. In addition to assets, the report also sheds light on the liabilities, with Khandu’s liabilities being significantly higher than those of other chief ministers.

The report also raises concerns about the legal backgrounds of some chief ministers. It states that 42% of the chief ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves. Moreover, 32% of these chief ministers have declared serious criminal cases, including charges related to bribery, kidnapping, criminal intimidation, and attempt to murder. These statistics reveal that a notable proportion of India’s political leaders face serious legal issues.

Among the 31 chief ministers, only two women hold the position: Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal and Atishi of Delhi. At 38, Atishi is the youngest chief minister in India, while Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan, at 77, is the oldest. Bihar’s Nitish Kumar is the only chief minister who is a member of the Legislative Council (MLC), with all other chief ministers being members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). These demographic details further diversify the profile of India’s political leadership.