New Delhi: According to the study conducted by the Informed Voter Project, candidates from the ruling Mahayuti have seen their wealth grow at a rate 17 times faster than that of the ordinary Indian over the past four years. In contrast, candidates from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) experienced wealth growth at a rate five times that of the ordinary Indian, which is still significant but notably lower than their Mahayuti counterparts.
The disparity becomes even more pronounced in Mumbai, where Mahayuti candidates’ wealth has grown 43 times faster than that of the average citizen. MVA candidates in the city have seen their wealth increase at a rate 6 times that of the ordinary Indian, which is 86% lower than the growth rate of Maha Yuti (MY) candidates.
To put these figures into perspective, the study notes that the average Indian’s wealth has grown by a mere 0.7% annually in real terms over the last four years. This raises concerns about the growing economic divide between political elites and the general population.
Specific examples of this wealth accumulation were noted in their press release. A typical Mahayuti candidate in Maharashtra has seen their wealth grow by approximately 120%, from Rs 21.5 crore in 2019 to Rs 47.1 crore in 2024. In comparison, an MVA candidate’s wealth has grown by 62%, from Rs 16.4 crore to Rs 26.5 crore. These figures stand in sharp contrast to the median wealth of an Indian citizen, which is approximately Rs 3.5 lakh in 2024.
Among individual parties, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has witnessed the most significant increase in candidate wealth. A typical Maharashtra BJP candidate’s wealth rose from Rs 26 crore to Rs 64 crore in absolute terms, representing a 144% increase. When adjusted for inflation, this still amounts to a 77% jump.
The press release also highlights the potential social impact of this wealth concentration. For instance, if the excess wealth accumulated by Mahayuti candidates since 2019 were redirected towards social development, it could make approximately Rs 7,375 crore available for public programmes. This amount could fund the construction of over 77,000 Anganwadi centres, addressing a critical shortage in childcare facilities across the state.
