In this electoral battleground, wealth is a significant factor, with three key candidates from Gautam Budh Nagar (Noida) boasting assets valued in crores.
BJP’s Mahesh Sharma
Leading the pack is Mahesh Sharma, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), whose financial portfolio has witnessed a remarkable surge over the past half-decade. From Rs 47 crore in 2019, Sharma’s assets have skyrocketed to an impressive Rs 83 crore this year. A significant portion of his wealth is attributed to his ownership stake in the Kailash Group of hospitals, a prominent healthcare conglomerate in the region. Furthermore, his spouse, Uma Sharma, a distinguished gynaecologist, holds key positions within these medical establishments, contributing to their combined financial prowess.
According to Sharma’s financial declaration, his annual income has shown a consistent rise over recent years, escalating from Rs 1.4 crore in 2018-19 to Rs 5.5 crore in 2022-23.
In terms of movable assets, Sharma possesses Rs 20.8 crore, while his wife holds Rs 13.1 crore. They also maintain substantial balances in their bank accounts, each exceeding Rs 1 crore.
Sharma has invested Rs 8.4 crore in shares of various hospitals that he has established, with his wife also having shares valued at Rs 1.2 crore. Additionally, both have allocated approximately Rs 80 lakh towards insurance policies.
Sharma has extended unsecured loans amounting to Rs 10 crore to individuals and firms, whereas his wife has lent Rs 9.1 crore. Their vehicle assets include a Fortuner valued at Rs 40 lakh owned by Sharma and an Innova Crysta and a Gypsy valued at Rs 30.7 lakh owned by Uma. Jewellery holdings include Rs 4.5 lakh worth for Sharma and Rs 37 lakh worth for his wife.
The couple also possesses a significant real estate portfolio, consisting of seven residential properties valued at Rs 37.9 crore, primarily located in Noida and Delhi. Notably, one property worth Rs 12 crore is jointly owned by Sharma and his wife. However, they have respective liabilities amounting to Rs 20.4 lakh and Rs 2 crore.
Financial profiles of political contenders
In contrast, his opponents, Mahendra Nagar of the INDIA bloc and Rajendra Singh Solanki representing the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), although not as affluent, still command substantial resources. Both Nagar and Solanki have declared assets worth Rs 8.5 crore each in their affidavits. Interestingly, while Sharma and Solanki have maintained a clean record devoid of any pending police cases, Nagar’s past electoral engagement has seen him embroiled in a non-cognizable report during the 2017 assembly elections.
INDIA bloc’s Mahendra Nagar
Nagar, who works as a doctor, earns an annual income of Rs 20.6 lakh through his medical practice and farming activities. Meanwhile, his wife, who is a homemaker, receives a yearly income of Rs 7.5 lakh.
There is one case registered against Nagar at the Bisrakh police station, alleging a violation of the model code.
In terms of liquid assets, Nagar holds Rs 1 lakh in cash, while his wife possesses Rs 1.2 lakh. They also maintain balances of Rs 2.9 crore and Rs 2.2 lakh in multiple bank accounts, respectively. Both have invested Rs 72 lakh in shares. Nagar’s vehicle of choice is a Fortuner, purchased in 2018 and currently valued at Rs 16.5 lakh. Additionally, the couple owns jewellery valued at Rs 36 lakh.
The Nagar family’s property holdings are valued at Rs 4.3 crore.
BSP’s Rajendra Singh Solanki
Rajendra Singh Solanki, who was previously a Congress MLA in the mid-80s but switched to BSP this year, reports an annual income of Rs 3.5 lakh, primarily from his MLA pension. His wife, on the other hand, earns Rs 12.6 lakh per year from property rentals.
Both Solanki and his wife hold Rs 5 lakh in cash. Solanki maintains balances of Rs 19 lakh across two bank accounts, while his wife has Rs 50,000 in one account. The BSP candidate owns a Toyota Rumion valued at Rs 10 lakh. Although he hasn’t disclosed any jewellery, he possesses two residential plots in Delhi and one agricultural land, amounting to a total value of Rs 8.4 crore.
Inputs from TOI
