Bengal’s new Assembly has 65% tainted MLAs, 61% crorepatis: ADR report
The Statesman | 9 May 2026
West Bengal’s newly elected Assembly is not only wealthier than ever before, but also has the highest number of legislators with criminal cases in the state’s electoral history, according to a new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and West Bengal Election Watch.
The findings come days after the BJP scripted a historic victory in Bengal by ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule. While the election marked a dramatic political shift in the state, the data released by ADR suggests the profile of winning candidates has also undergone a sharp transformation, with money power and criminal cases becoming increasingly common in electoral politics.
Out of 292 winning candidates analysed, 190, or 65 per cent, declared criminal cases against themselves. Of these, 170 candidates, accounting for 58 per cent, disclosed serious criminal cases in their affidavits.
The numbers mark a steep rise compared to previous elections. In 2011, only 34 per cent of MLAs had declared criminal cases, while the figure stood at 49 per cent in 2021. Serious criminal cases, too, rose from 24 per cent in 2011 to 58 per cent in 2026.
The report also points to a steady increase in the wealth of elected representatives in the state.
According to ADR, 178 winning candidates, or 61 per cent of the new Assembly, are crorepatis. In comparison, 54 per cent of MLAs elected in 2021 had assets worth more than Rs 1 crore.
The average assets of winning candidates have risen to Rs 3.73 crore, up from Rs 2.53 crore in 2021 and just around Rs 68 lakh in 2011.
ADR’s analysis showed that the total declared assets of the 292 winning candidates crossed Rs 1,091 crore.
The BJP, which won 207 seats, accounted for the largest number of candidates with criminal cases. According to the report, 152 out of 206 BJP winners analysed, or 74 per cent, declared criminal cases, while 141 candidates faced serious charges.
Among the Trinamool Congress winners, 34 out of 80 candidates declared criminal cases, with 25 facing serious charges.
The report also highlighted the vast financial gap among winning candidates.
BJP leader Dilip Saha from Nabagram emerged as the richest winning candidate with declared assets worth more than Rs 43 crore, followed by TMC’s Ahmed Javed Khan with assets exceeding Rs 39 crore.
At the other end of the spectrum was BJP’s Chiran Bera from Uluberia Uttar, who declared assets of just Rs 17,768.
ADR’s report also noted that 14 winning candidates declared cases related to murder, while 54 candidates disclosed attempt-to-murder charges in their affidavits.
Women continued to remain underrepresented in the Assembly. Out of 292 winners analysed, only 37 were women, accounting for 13 per cent of the House