In a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal, has been ranked as the poorest chief minister in India, with declared assets of just over Rs 15 lakh.
Reacting to the report, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien described Mamata Banerjee’s life as “no ordinary story.” He stated, “Her journey is unparalleled not only in India but across Asia. Her dedication to public service, grounded in simplicity and compassion, makes her a once-in-a-century leader.”
Key Insights from the ADR Report:
- N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is the richest chief minister with assets worth over Rs 931 crore.
- Arunachal Pradesh’s Pema Khandu and Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah follow with assets of Rs 332 crore and Rs 51 crore, respectively.
- The second and third poorest chief ministers are Jammu and Kashmir’s Omar Abdullah (assets worth Rs 55 lakh) and Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan (Rs 1.18 crore).
The report highlighted that the average assets of chief ministers from state assemblies and Union Territories stand at Rs 52.59 crore, while the average self-income of a chief minister is approximately Rs 13.64 lakh, which is 7.3 times India’s average per capita income of Rs 1,85,854 for 2023-2024.
A Symbol of Simplicity
Mamata Banerjee’s modest lifestyle and limited assets are a stark contrast to other political leaders. The report has reignited conversations about wealth disparities in Indian politics.
