Richest MLA of the country: According to research by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW), Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and deputy chief minister of the state DK Shivakumar is the richest legislator in the country with assets of Rs 1,413 crore. Shivakumar, in his 2023 affidavit submitted to the Election Commission, claimed that he has total immovable assets worth Rs 273 crore and movable assets worth Rs 1,140 crore. DKS’s liabilities total Rs. 265 crores.

Not only that. The list is dominated by MLAs from the state of Karnataka, who account for 12 of the country’s top 20 richest lawmakers. According to ADR analysis, 14% of Karnataka MLAs are billionaires, the highest percentage in the country (Rs 100 crore), and the average assets of legislators is Rs 64.3 crore. The top three spots in the list are held by MLAs from Karnataka. KH Puttaswamy Gowda, an independent MLA and businessman, is the second richest person with assets of Rs 1,267 crore and liabilities of less than Rs 5 crore. Gowda has real estate worth Rs 990 crore and personal assets worth Rs 276 crore. The third richest is Priyakrishna, the youngest Congress MLA in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. The 39-year-old has Rs. 1,156 crore in reported assets.

Of all the MLAs across the country, it is interesting to note that Priyakrishna has the largest liabilities, totaling Rs 881 crore. The 18th position in the list of Karnataka’s top billionaires was held by his father M. Krishnappa. Mining magnate Gali Janardhana Reddy, who is ranked 23rd, is the second MLA from Karnataka to have made the list. BJP’s Bhagirathi Murulia, who has disclosed assets of Rs 28 lakh and liabilities of Rs 2 lakh, is the poorest MLA elected to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.