Assets of returning MLAs in Tamil Nadu doubles in five years: survey

Chennai: The average assets of 89 re-contesting MLAs in Tamil Nadu has doubled by Rs 4.27 crore between 2011 and 2016, with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa witnessing an increase of over Rs 62 crore in asset, as per a survey by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR).

The average assets of these re-contesting MLAs fielded by various parties in 2011 was Rs 4.35 crore, while it now stands at Rs 8.63 crore in 2016, reflecting a jump of 98 per cent.

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AIADMK's Jayalalithaa witnessed asset increase by Rs 62 crore from Rs 51 crore in 2011 to Rs 113 crore in 2016, ADR said.

DMK's M Karunanidhi asset increased by over Rs 18 crore (Rs 44 crore in 2011 to Rs 62 crore in 2016) and that of AIADMK's R Sarathkumar rose by more than Rs 36 crore (Rs 27 crore in 2011 to Rs 64 crore in 2016), it added.

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Tamil Nadu Election Watch and ADR have analysed the affidavits of 89 outgoing MLAs who are re-contesting from major parties in the 2016 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections to be held on Monday.

AIADMK's 51 MLAs average asset increased by Rs 4 crore, while that of 16 DMK MLAs rose by Rs 5 crore.

Among other major parties, DMDK's 11 MLAs saw average asset increase of over Rs 2 crore, CPI four MLAs (over Rs 27 lakh), CPI(M) four MLAs (over Rs 15 lakh), Pattali Makkal Katchi two MLAs (over Rs 1 crore) and INC's one MLA (over Rs 3 crore), the survey said.