Left's rich-poor divide runs deep

The Left Front in West Bengal, especially the CPI(M), has a large number of millionaires on its rolls.

According to the affidavits filed with the Election Commission by candidates contesting the first and second phase of West Bengal elections, the assets of over one-third, 18 out of 50, are worth over Rs one million each.

The list includes one candidate each from the AIFB and the CPI. The assets of 16 other candidates are worth Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh each. Over two-thirds of the Left candidates are either millionaires or are close to joining the "millionaires club".

The conclusion is based on the first 50 affidavits (excluding four which were illegible) out of 113 available on the website of the Election Commission.

The list included 46 candidates from the CPI(M), four from the AIFB, and one each from the CPI and the RSP. The list is, however, not just about the rich.

For instance, the assets of CPI(M) candidate from Sankrail, Anirban Hazra, are worth Rs 285, including Rs 100 in cash and two bank accounts which have Rs 100 and Rs 85, respectively. He does not own any house or land, as per his affidavit.

Nabadip candidate Chhaya Sen Sarma has no cash or bank deposit. This CPI(M) candidate's affidavit shows assets worth Rs 1,000, held in the form of shares, bonds and debentures, and gold worth Rs 5,000.

AIFB candidate from Shibpur Jagannath Bhattacharya is the richest of the lot with assets worth around Rs one crore, including land worth Rs 55 lakh, a house worth 12 lakh, jewellery worth Rs 3.81 lakh and investment in financial institutions to the tune of Rs 17 lakh.

CPI(M) candidate from Nandanpur, Choudhury Chakraborty Bule, owns assets worth over Rs 77 lakh, excluding two cars. Apart from property worth Rs 20 lakh, a house worth Rs 16 lakh and jewellery worth Rs 10 lakh, he has invested over Rs 26 lakh in financial instruments like the National Savings Scheme, postal savings and LIC policies.

Close behind Bule is his party colleague, Debendra Nath Biswas, contesting from Ranaghat East, whose assets are worth around Rs 7 million. His flat is worth Rs 25 lakh, which is the stated worth of the assets declared by CPI(M) candidate from Karimpur, Prafulla Kumar Bhowmick, and party candidate from Bagnan, Akkel Ali Khan.

Many of these candidates are far richer, given that the assets of their spouses have not been included.

For instance, the assets of Biswas' spouse include Rs 8.25 lakh held in banks deposits and financial institutions and jewellery worth Rs 2.40 lakh. Besides, many candidates have failed to mention the worth of their agricultural land.