As Karnataka approaches election season, the wealth and assets of candidates are under intense scrutiny, revealing significant increases for some, which has raised eyebrows among voters.
C.P. Yogeshwar, the Congress candidate from Ramanagara, has reported a remarkable increase in his family’s wealth, which has surged by ₹28.37 crore in just one and a half years. His liabilities have also decreased by ₹9.85 crore during this period. Over the past 13 years, his assets have increased six-fold, growing from ₹10.81 crore in 2011 to ₹67.50 crore in 2014. His asset declaration indicates ₹27 crore in immovable property and ₹7 crore in inheritance. Additionally, his wife, Sheela, has assets worth ₹25 crore in immovable property and ₹7 crore in inheritance. Yogeshwar’s family debt totals ₹29.29 crore, and he faces 10 pending criminal cases. His annual income is ₹46.23 lakh, while his wife earns ₹19.36 lakh.
Bharat Bommai, the BJP candidate from Shiggavi, has declared assets worth ₹16.17 crore, alongside debts amounting to ₹2.32 crore. His financial portfolio includes ₹2.03 lakh in cash, ₹4.05 lakh in fixed deposits, ₹1.19 crore in savings accounts, and ₹1.74 lakh in public company shares. Notably, he possesses gold jewelry valued at ₹81.61 lakh.
Annapurna, the Congress candidate from Sandur, Bellary, has accumulated loans totaling ₹1.2 crore from her husband, MP E. Tukaram, and other sources. Her assets comprise two plots in Yashwantpur, 560 grams of gold jewelry, ₹44,37,315 in immovable property, as well as furniture and buildings. Additionally, she has ₹63,21,380 in heirlooms. Her husband’s assets are valued at ₹1.90 crore, including 350 grams of gold jewelry and a car.
These financial disclosures have ignited public interest regarding the candidates’ economic backgrounds, prompting questions about the origins of their wealth and its potential implications for governance in Karnataka.