Odisha LS Polls Phase 2: 33% Candidates Crorepatis, BJP’s Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo Tops Asset List

Bhubaneswar: 33% of the candidates vying for seats in the upcoming second phase of Lok Sabha polls in Odisha are millionaires, according to a report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and Odisha Election Watch (OEW).

Out of the 40 candidates in the fray, 13 have declared assets worth more than Rs 1 crore. Notably, all three major parties—BJD, BJP and Congress—have a significant number of crorepati candidates, accounting for 80% of the total candidates in this phase.

The average assets of BJP candidates exceed 16 crores, followed by BJD with Rs 4.58 crore and Congress with 2.17 crore. Across all major parties, the average assets stand at Rs 3.57 crore. Additionally, seven independent candidates in the fray have declared assets totalling Rs 59.57 lakh, as per the poll affidavits submitted by the candidates.

Among the candidates, incumbent BJP MP Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, seeking re-nomination from the Balangir seat, tops the list with total assets valued at Rs 67.30 crore. Former Hockey Olympian Dilip Kumar Tirkey of BJD follows with Rs 12.26 crore while sitting BJP MP Jual Oram has assets worth Rs 8.63 crore.

On the other end of the spectrum, Devika Sika, contesting from the Bargarh seat from a National Apni Party ticket, has the lowest declared assets—just Rs 10,222. Meanwhile, BJD’s Tirkey, who is competing against BJP MP Oram from the Sundargarh seat, has the highest liabilities among the candidates, amounting to 1.58 crore.

Notably, BJP candidate Oram boasts the highest income, reporting Rs 51.42 lakh in his income tax return for the 2022-23 fiscal year. His income includes his salary as an MP, monetary returns from agriculture, house rent and income from his spouse.