Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 13: Karnataka deputy chief minister and Bangalore Development Minister D K Shivakumar has emerged as the second richest minister in India, according to a report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The report also revealed that Karnataka has the highest number of billionaire ministers in the country, with as many as eight in the cabinet.
The ADR report highlighted that D K Shivakumar holds assets worth over Rs 1,413 crore, making him the second richest minister in the country.
Another Karnataka minister, Byrathi Suresh, who represents the Hebbal constituency and currently serves as the urban development minister in chief minister Siddaramaiah’s cabinet, has secured the fifth position in the list. He has declared assets worth Rs 648 crore.
With eight billionaire ministers, Karnataka stands first in the country. Andhra Pradesh follows with six billionaire ministers, while Maharashtra has four, placing it in third position.
The richest minister in India is Dr Chandrasekhar Pemmasani of the TDP, a doctor by profession. He currently serves as the Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications in the central government and represents Guntur in the 18th Lok Sabha. Pemmasani has declared assets worth over Rs 5,705 crore.
Apart from D K Shivakumar with assets of Rs 1,413 crore, Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu ranks among the wealthiest with assets exceeding Rs 931 crore, earning him the title of ‘Richest Chief Minister’. Others in the top 10 include Narayana Ponguru and Nara Lokesh from Andhra Pradesh, Gaddam Vivekanand and Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy from Telangana, Suresh BS from Karnataka, Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Maharashtra, and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Party-wise, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has the highest number of billionaire ministers at 14, which constitutes about 4% of its total ministers. The Congress comes second, with 11 billionaire ministers out of 61 (18%). The TDP has six billionaire ministers, making up 26% of its 23-member ministerial strength. Other parties such as the Aam Aadmi Party, Jana Sena Party, JD(S), NCP, and Shiv Sena also have billionaire ministers.
State-wise, Karnataka leads with eight billionaire ministers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with six and Maharashtra with four. Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana each have two, while Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab each have one billionaire minister.
The ADR report, which analysed the assets of 643 ministers from state assemblies, Union territories, and the central cabinet, revealed that 36 of them are billionaires, accounting for about 6% of the total. Collectively, the 643 ministers hold assets worth Rs 23,929 crore.