Non-profit ADR’s analysis of 643 ministers’ assets shows that 6% are billionaires, with BJP topping the list in numbers and TDP’s Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani emerging as the richest.
In a striking revelation, the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has disclosed that 36 of India’s 643 ministers are billionaires, owning assets worth a staggering ₹23,929 crore. The analysis covered ministers from state assemblies, Union Territories, and the Union Council, with findings showing that 6% of India’s ministers belong to the billionaire club.
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Party-wise, the BJP leads with 14 billionaire ministers, accounting for 4% of its total. The Congress follows with 11 of its 61 ministers (18%), while the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) ranks highest in proportion, with 6 of its 23 ministers (26%) being billionaires. The Aam Aadmi Party, Janasena Party, JD(S), NCP, and Shiv Sena also feature on the list.
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TDP’s Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani emerged as the richest minister in the country, declaring assets worth over ₹5,705 crore. He is followed by Karnataka’s Deputy CM D K Shivakumar with assets exceeding ₹1,413 crore, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, known as India’s “richest CM,” holds wealth over ₹931 crore. Other billionaires in the top 10 include Narayana Ponguru and Nara Lokesh (Andhra Pradesh), Gaddam Vivekanand and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy (Telangana), Suresha B S (Karnataka), Mangal Prabhat Lodha (Maharashtra), and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
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State-wise, Karnataka leads with 8 billionaire ministers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 6 and Maharashtra with 4. Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana have 2 each, while Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab have 1 each.
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