Sharp Rise in Assets of Candidates in West Bengal Elections
Candidates Report Up to 2,344% Surge in Wealth Ahead of Polls
Significant Increase in Declared Wealth
Several prominent candidates contesting in the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections 2026 have reported a substantial rise in their assets. In one notable case, a candidate has declared an increase of as much as 2,344 percent in wealth over the past five years.
Zakir Hossain Among Wealthiest Candidates
From the Jangipur constituency, Zakir Hossain of the All India Trinamool Congress declared assets worth ₹67 crore during the 2021 elections. His wealth has now nearly doubled to ₹133 crore in 2026, placing him among the richest candidates in the current election.
Sudip Kumar Mukherjee Sees Massive Growth
BJP MLA Sudip Kumar Mukherjee from Purulia has recorded one of the highest increases. His assets rose from ₹45 lakh in 2021 to ₹11 crore in 2026, marking an extraordinary 2,344 percent growth.
Krishna Kalyani and Manas Bhunia Report Gains
Krishna Kalyani, contesting again from Raiganj in Uttar Dinajpur district, has seen his assets rise by 247 percent—from ₹5.8 crore in 2021 to ₹20 crore in 2026.
Similarly, Manas Ranjan Bhunia from Sabang in Paschim Medinipur has reported a doubling of assets to ₹15 crore compared to the previous election.
Mixed Trends Among Other Leaders
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has reportedly seen a decline in his immovable assets. Meanwhile, income declarations of BJP candidates have also increased, reflecting changing financial profiles.
Other Candidates Record Steady Growth
BJP candidate Sukumar Roy has reported a 300 percent increase in assets. Candidates such as Chinmoy Deb Barman and Subrata Maitra have also seen asset growth of over 150 percent in the past five years.
Rising Wealth Trends Under Scrutiny
The sharp rise in declared assets of candidates has drawn attention, highlighting the growing financial stakes in electoral politics. Analysts believe such trends may influence voter perception and bring increased scrutiny on transparency and accountability in elections.
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