Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has released its latest report for 2025, revealing the list of the top 10 richest MLAs in India. As per the self-declared affidavits submitted by MLAs before contesting their elections, BJP's Parag Shah from Ghatkopar East, Mumbai, remains India's richest MLA, with assets valued at Rs 3,383 crore. He is followed by Congress leader DK Shivakumar, representing Kanakapura, Karnataka, whose wealth exceeds Rs 1,413 crore.

Top 10 Richest MLAs in India (2025)

According to the ADR analysis, the following are the top 10 wealthiest MLAs in India in 2025:

1. Parag Shah (BJP, Maharashtra) – Rs 3,383 crore
2. D.K. Shivakumar (Congress, Karnataka) – Rs 1,413 crore
3. K.H. Puttaswamy Gowda (Independent, Karnataka) – Rs 1,267 crore
4. Priyakrishna (Congress, Karnataka) – Rs 1,156 crore
5. N. Chandrababu Naidu (TDP, Andhra Pradesh) – Rs 931 crore
6. Ponguru Narayana (TDP, Andhra Pradesh) – Rs 824 crore
7. Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSRCP, Andhra Pradesh) – Rs 757 crore
8. V. Prashanthi Reddy (TDP, Andhra Pradesh) – Rs 716 crore
9. Jayantibhai Somabhai Patel (BJP, Gujarat) – Rs 661 crore
10. Suresha B.S. (Congress, Karnataka) – Rs 648 crore

BJP's Parag Shah Tops the List with Rs 3,383 Crore Assets

Parag Shah, a BJP MLA from Ghatkopar East, Mumbai, tops the list with declared assets amounting to Rs 3,383 crore. Shah, a prominent real estate developer, has consistently maintained his position as India's wealthiest MLA due to his extensive business interests in Mumbai's real estate sector.

DK Shivakumar Holds Second Position with Rs 1,413 Crore Wealth

Karnataka’s DK Shivakumar, a senior Congress leader, is the second-richest MLA in India with assets worth Rs 1,413 crore. Shivakumar, who has been a prominent figure in Karnataka politics, has made significant contributions to the Congress party.

Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra Dominate the List

The ADR report highlights that 76 of India's 119 billionaire MLAs are from just three states — Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

• Karnataka MLAs (223 members) collectively own assets worth Rs 14,179 crore, the highest in India.
• Maharashtra MLAs (286 members) possess wealth valued at Rs 12,424 crore.
• Andhra Pradesh MLAs (174 members) have a cumulative asset value of Rs 11,323 crore.

Poorest MLA in India: Nirmal Kumar Dhara with Rs 1,700

Interestingly, the poorest MLA in India is Nirmal Kumar Dhara, a BJP MLA from Indus, West Bengal, with declared assets of only Rs 1,700. This stark contrast highlights the vast disparity in wealth among Indian legislators.

45% of MLAs Facing Criminal Charges

As per the ADR analysis, a staggering 45% of India’s 4,092 MLAs have declared criminal cases against themselves.

• 1,861 MLAs have admitted to having criminal charges, with 1,205 of them facing serious charges like murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women.
• Andhra Pradesh leads the list with 138 MLAs (79%) declaring criminal cases, followed by Kerala and Telangana (69%), Bihar (66%), Maharashtra (65%), and Tamil Nadu (59%).

Serious Criminal Charges Against MLAs

Of the 4,092 MLAs, a significant number face serious criminal charges:

• Andhra Pradesh tops the list with 98 MLAs (56%) having serious criminal cases.
• BJP has 1,653 MLAs, of which 638 (39%) have declared criminal cases, including 436 (26%) with serious charges.
• Congress has 646 MLAs, with 339 (52%) declaring criminal cases, out of which 194 (30%) are facing serious charges.

Conclusion: Wealth Disparity and Criminal Charges in Indian Politics

The ADR report 2025 highlights the stark disparity between India's richest and poorest MLAs. While Parag Shah, DK Shivakumar, and other top-ranking MLAs enjoy massive wealth, Nirmal Kumar Dhara struggles with minimal assets. Additionally, the growing number of MLAs with criminal backgrounds raises concerns about the ethics and accountability of Indian lawmakers. As India moves forward, addressing these disparities and ensuring greater transparency in political finances and candidate backgrounds remains crucial for the country's democratic progress.

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