Assembly elections: ‘Tale of two wallets’ in Phase-II: From billionaires to candidates with just Rs 1,000 in electoral race

Like Omar, Raina owns no house, land or car; 310 candidates file 329 nominations; scrutiny of papers on Sept 9

JAMMU, SEPTEMBER 5: From affluent billionaires to financially average candidates with just Rs 1,000 cash, the second phase of elections for 26 assembly constituencies spread over six districts of Jammu and Kashmir is set for an interesting but fierce contest on September 25.
A total of 310 candidates have filed 329 nomination papers to try their luck. Thursday was the last day to file nomination papers for the second phase of the assembly polls.
According to the poll affidavits filed submitted before the Election Commission, if several wealthy elites, including J&K Apni Party chief Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari and J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra, have entered the electoral race for the second phase, there are “financially average” candidate like the J&K BJP chief Ravinder Raina who have a modest Rs 1,000 cash and does have own any house, land or car.
Former chief minister and National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah also filed a second nomination to contest the assembly polls from Budgam. On Wednesday, the 54-year-old Abdullah filed a nomination from family bastion Ganderbal while making an emotional appeal to the voters with a skull cap in his hands, saying, “My honour, my turban are in your hands.”
In his affidavit, Karra submitted that he had Rs 1.25 lakh cash in hand while his wife possessed Rs 4.75 lakh. His income, which was Rs 14,470 in 2020-21, surged to Rs 7, 77,090 in 2024-25, marking a steady annual increase. From Rs 2, 62,860 in 2021-22 to Rs 3,42,000 in 2022-23, his earnings saw a considerable leap to Rs 6,92,000 in 2023-24.
On the other hand, the income of Karra’s spouse witnessed fluctuations. Her earnings dropped from Rs 13,58,530 in 2019-20 to Rs 10,28,710 in 2020-21 but later recovered to Rs 17,21,840 in 2022-23, before dipping again to Rs 13,11,400 in 2023-24.
Karra owns a Mahindra Scorpio, 10 grams of gold valued at Rs 70,000, and gems worth Rs 4.50 lakhs. His offshore assets total Rs 40,76,838.
Among his notable holdings are 16.25 acres of agricultural land, valued at Rs 113.47 crore, and a commercial property spanning 880 square feet and 1,490 square feet, valued at Rs 9.07 crore. His residential properties, covering a built-up area of 9,300 square feet and 6,800 square feet, have a market value of Rs 25.10 crore. Despite this wealth, Karra has a loan of Rs 12,68,938, as noted in the financial disclosure.
Altaf Bukhari’s affidavit states that he has immovable assets of Rs 51.27 crore and movable assets of Rs 4.30 crore. His spouse has immovable and movable assets of Rs 12.46 crore and 97.38 crore respectively. He also has high-end vehicles such as a Toyota Fortuner valued at Rs 24.42 lakhs and a Toyota Innova worth Rs 15.75 lakhs, alongside a modified Tata Mobile 207 valued at Rs 4.82 lakhs. His personal cash holdings amount to Rs 34,000, with his spouse holding Rs 42,000.
On other hand, Ravinder Raina, who is a Science Graduate and filed his nomination papers from Nowshera on Thursday, revealed that he has just Rs 1,000 cash in hand while he does not own any house, land or car.
As reported earlier, Omar Abdullah is also a ‘lakhpati’ (millionaire), but he does not own a house, land, cars or any other immovable assets of his own. His only source of income is the pension he receives as an ex-MLA and former Member of Parliament. His income has surged by a meager Rs 79,000 during the last four months.
Former minister Choudhary Zulfkar Ali, who recently joined BJP and has filed his nomination from Budhal seat, is richest among all the prominent candidates in the assembly segments falling in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri, going to polls in the second phase.
Meanwhile, a statement from the office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) stated that a total of 112 candidates have filed their nominations in Srinagar district, followed by 68 in Budgam district, 47 in Rajouri district, 35 in Poonch district, while 24 candidates each have filed nominations in Reasi and Ganderbal districts.
In Jammu division, for the three assembly constituencies (ACs) in Reasi district, a total of 7 candidates have filed nomination from Gulabgarh (ST); 10 candidates have filed nomination from Reasi; while 7 candidates have filed nomination from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
In the five ACs in Rajouri district, 11 candidates have filed nomination from Kalakote– Sunderbani; 7 from Nowshera; 14 from 85-Rajouri (ST); 7 from 86-Budhal (ST); while 8 candidates have filed nomination from 87-Thannamandi (ST).
For the three ACs in Poonch district, a total of 11 candidates have filed nomination from Surankote (ST); 13 from Poonch Haveli; while 11 candidates have filed nomination from Mendhar (ST).
In Kashmir division, for the 2 ACs in Ganderbal district, 6 candidates have filed nomination from Kangan (ST); while 18 candidates have filed nomination from Ganderbal.
For the eight ACs in Srinagar district, a total of 18 candidates have filed nomination from Hazratbal; 10 from Khanyar; 20 from Habbakadal; 12 from Lal Chowk; 9 from Channapora; 15 from Zadibal; 15 from Eidgah,; while 13 candidates have filed nomination from Central Shalteng.
In the five ACs in Budgam district, 12 candidates have filed nomination from Budgam; 18 from Beerwah; 17 from Khansahib; 12 from Charar-I-Sharief; while 9 candidates have filed nomination from Chadoora.
The nomination papers will be scrutinised by the respective Returning Officers on September 6, while the candidates can withdraw their nomination paper by or before September 9.

Updated On 9/6/2024 4:20:41 AM