New Delhi: A report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) on Monday stated that Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot is the richest minister in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
"The minister with the highest declared total assets is Kailash Gahlot from Najafgarh constituency with assets worth Rs 46.07 crore," the report said. AAP's Gopal Rai has declared the lowest wealth with total assets worth Rs 90.01 lakh.
The Delhi Election Watch and ADR have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all the seven-party leaders including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the NGO said in a statement.The report by ADR comes on a day when Kejriwal and his six ministers took charge at the Delhi Secretariat after the formation of the new AAP government.
The ministers are likely to retain their previous portfolios, with few minor changes in departments. However, the final allocation of portfolios is expected to be announced after a cabinet meeting.
Kailash Gahlot defeated BJP's Ajit Singh Kharkhari in the Najafgarh assembly constituency by 6,231 votes. Congress had fielded Sahib Singh Yadav from this seat.
Gahlot, who held key portfolios such as transport, revenue, the environment in the previous AAP government, had played a vital role in implementing free travel scheme for women in public transport buses and free pilgrimage to senior citizens.
Top three richest candidates in Delhi elections 2020
Three richest candidates in the Delhi Assembly Election were from the ruling AAP. Dharampal Lakra, who declared assets of over Rs 292 crore, was the richest candidate in the poll-fray, followed by Pramila Tokas and Ram Singh Netaji with declared assets of Rs 80 crore. The two contested elections from RK Puram and Badarpur constituency, respectively.
Income Tax raid on Kailash Gahlot
Earlier in 2018, the Income Tax Department (ITD) had carried out raids on multiple premises linked to Kailash Gahlot in connection with a tax evasion case. The IT officials had alleged that AAP minister evaded tax worth Rs 120 crore and even registered shell companies in the name of drivers and peons. But, his legal team had issued a statement saying the officers actually found nothing.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his party AAP had said that the raids were another example of what it called was the BJP’s political vendetta.
Huge mandate for AAP
The Kejriwal led-AAP returned to power for a third consecutive term with a thumping majority in recently concluded Delhi elections. It won 62 out of 70-Assembly seats. The BJP could manage to grab 8 seats, while the Congress drew a blank.
