Crorepati MLA in Bihar Assembly - Data Analysis
The influence of money power is constantly increasing in Bihar politics. In the current assembly, 81% of the MLAs are crorepatis, while the number of women MLAs has remained just 11%. These figures not only show the financial condition of the public representatives, but also tell in which direction the politics of the state is going. In this episode of the 'Baat Chunav Ki' series, we are presenting you important figures related to crorepati MLAs and women representation in the assembly elections from 2005 to 2020.
š· 2005: The first crorepati MLA in Bihar Assembly
In the assembly elections held in October 2005, a total of 243 seats were contested, out of which only 8 MLAs were crorepatis ā that is, just 3%. At that time, the average assets of MLAs was Rs 27 lakh, in which JDU MLAs had the highest assets (Rs 34 lakh).
The richest MLA was JDU's Raju Kumar Singh (Sahebganj), whose total assets were more than Rs 6.11 crore. The top 10 richest MLAs included six from JDU, two from RJD, one each from BJP and LJP.
Talking about women, out of a total of 243 MLAs, only 35 women were elected ā that is, only 14% women representation.
š· 2010: Jump in number of crorepati MLAs
This time 48 MLAs in the assembly were crorepatis ā 19% of the total. The average wealth of the winning candidates increased to Rs 81 lakh.
RJD MLAs had the highest average wealth (close to Rs 1 crore). Dr. Fayaz Ahmed from Bisfi in Madhubani was the richest MLA of that time, whose wealth was more than Rs 15 crore.
Women representation remained almost stable ā a total of 34 women MLAs were elected, which was around 14%.
š· 2015: Crorepati MLAs now in majority
In the elections held in 2015, a total of 160 MLAs became crorepatis, that is, 67%. This time, the average assets of the winning MLAs reached Rs 3.06 crore, which was four times more than in 2010.
Congress MLAs had the highest average assets (Rs 4.36 crore). The richest MLA was JDU's Poonam Devi Yadav (Khagaria), whose assets were more than Rs 41 crore.
However, the number of women MLAs dropped to 28 ā only 12%.
š· 2020: When crorepati MLAs became 81%
In the 2020 assembly elections, 194 out of 243 MLAs were elected crorepatis ā that is, 81%. The average assets of MLAs now rose to Rs 4.32 crore.
RJD MLAs had the highest average assets (Rs 5.92 crore). The richest MLA was RJD's Anant Kumar Singh from Mokama, who declared assets of more than Rs 68 crore.
The situation of women became more worrying ā out of a total of 370 women candidates, only 26 won. That is, the representation of women MLAs decreased to just 11%.
š¶ Conclusion: Has money power become the biggest criterion in Bihar politics?
The trend from 2005 to 2020 clearly indicates that the number of crorepati MLAs in the Bihar Assembly is constantly increasing. This not only shows the increasing role of money in politics, but also raises concern that women representation is constantly decreasing.
Before the 2025 elections, this question will arise again ā will the common voter rise above money power and choose a real public servant? Or has property worth crores and political stature become the new identity of democracy?