The NGO Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), which works on election reforms, has released a report on women MPs and MLAs. It reveals that out of the country's total 512 women MPs and MLAs, 28% i.e. 143 have criminal cases registered against them. Of these, 78 (15%) face serious charges like murder and kidnapping.

Meanwhile, 17 women leaders have claimed to be billionaires (having assets worth 100 crore or more) in their election affidavits. These include 6 women from Lok Sabha, 3 from Rajya Sabha and 8 from Legislative Assembly. The total declared assets of 512 women MPs-MLAs is Rs 10,417 crore. On average, each has assets worth Rs 20.34 crore.

According to the report, 71% of women leaders are graduates or higher educated. 24% have studied from 5th to 12th standard and 12 women have completed diplomas. Among women MPs-MLAs, 64% are aged between 41 to 60 years, 22% between 25 to 40 years and 14% between 61 to 80 years.

Number of women leaders with criminal cases from each party

• BJP: 217 women MPs-MLAs, 23% have cases, 11% have serious cases.
• Congress: 34% of 83 have criminal cases, 20% have serious charges.
• TDP: 65% of 20 women MLAs have cases, 45% have serious cases.
• AAP: 69% of 13 have criminal cases, 31% have cases with serious charges.

Other ADR Reports...

1. 45% of country's MLAs have criminal cases, 1205 face serious charges

According to ADR's report, 45% of the country's MLAs have criminal cases registered against them. ADR analyzed election affidavits of 4092 MLAs out of total 4123 MLAs from 28 states and three union territories with legislative assemblies.

Out of 174 MLAs in Andhra Pradesh, 138 (79%) have declared criminal cases against them, while in Sikkim, only 1 out of 32 MLAs (3%) has declared criminal cases - the lowest. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has the highest with 115 out of 134 MLAs (86%) having criminal cases registered against them.

2. Chandrababu richest CM, Mamata poorest with Rs 15 lakh According to a report released on December 30, 2024, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is the richest chief minister in the country. He has assets worth more than 931 crore rupees. Meanwhile, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee is the poorest with assets worth 15 lakh rupees.

According to the report, while India's per capita Net National Income (NNI) in 2023-2024 was around 1 lakh 85 thousand 854 rupees, the average income of a Chief Minister was 13 lakh 64 thousand 310 rupees.

This is approximately 7.3 times higher than India's average per capita income. The average assets of Chief Ministers from 31 states and union territories is 52.59 crore rupees, while their total combined assets are 1,630 crore rupees.

3. BJP received Rs 4340.47 crore donations in one year, spent 51%

ADR released a report on February 17, 2025 regarding donations received by national parties. According to the report, BJP received the highest donation of Rs 4340.47 crore in financial year 2023-24. Congress was second with Rs 1225.12 crore.

The report stated that parties received a major portion of donations through electoral bonds. BJP spent 50.96% of its earnings i.e. Rs 2211.69 crore, while Congress spent 83.69% of its income i.e. Rs 1025.25 crore.

AAP received Rs 22.68 crore in donations, but spent more at Rs 34.09 crore. BJP alone received 74.57% of the total donations received by all parties. The remaining 5 parties received 25.43% of donations.