Nabajyoti Patnaik, who is making his poll debut from Balasore Tops The List Of Rich Candidates

Bhubaneswar:26/4/19: Congress candidate Nabajyoti Patnaik, who is making his poll debut from Balasore Parliamentary constituency, is the wealthiest candidate among those fighting polls for the lower house in the 4^th and final phase of elections on April 29.

Patnaik, son of Odisha Congress Chief Niranjan Pantaik, owned assets worth Rs 104 crore, according to the report by Odisha Election Watch (OEW) and Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), who have analysed the self-sworn affidavits of all the candidates in the 4th phase polls.

Like his son, Niranjan Patnaik, fighting assembly polls from Ghasipura and Bhadaripokhari seats, tops the list of ‘crorepati’ or millionaire candidates for the 4^thphase assembly polls with declared assets to the tune of Rs 60 crore.

The first-timer into the Topsy-turvy poll battle arena, Nabajyoti Patnaik is the owner of more than Rs 104 crore. His movable assets are worth Rs 88 crore while immovable assets calculated at Rs 9.46 crore. While Patnaik owns three automobile showrooms, he is the owner of an Innova brand car. Nabajyoti and his spouse are in possession of Rs 78.91 lakh gold ornaments, according to affidavit furnished at the returning officer.

Rabindra Jena, BJD’s Balasore seat MP candidate, figured in the list of contestants with Rs 72 crores of movable and immovable assets. Jena , who is seeking re-election from Balasore LS seat, owns Rs 72 crore assets (Rs 31.54 crore movable assets + Rs 41.07 crore immovable assets).

Despite the affluent profile, Jena does not have a car or SUV in his name for conveyance. His wife also does not own a four-wheeler. Jena couple has however the ownership of whopping ten KGs of gold ornaments. Besides they also own diamond ornaments, according to the affidavits.

Baijayant Panda, BJP’s nominee from high-profile Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat, comes next with declared assets worth Rs 57 crores, according to OEW-ADR report.

Assets owned by the high-profile BJP candidate Panda have shot up by 83.86% in value during the past five years.

The affidavit submitted by the suave industrialist-turned politician to the returning officer here said assets worth Rs 31.24 crore were owned by him during the 2014 general election and have now shot up to Rs 57.44 crore. The four-time Lok Sabha MP’s affidavit during the filing of nomination papers in 2009 general election showed owning Rs 16.11 crore. The movable and immovable assets of Panda, who has stakes in industrial ventures, business besides media, has made substantial jump, registering rise of than three times during past three decades, according to affidavits filed by him.

Interestingly BJP candidate, who is currently covering the constituency mostly on chopper for campaigning, owns an old 2006 model car valued at Rs 1.5 lakh. Panda and spouse have Rs 1.50 lakh at hand. They owned Rs 21 lakh gold and diamond jewelleries and Rs 81 lakh worth electronic gadgets that included watches and artworks.

Panda owns 2.5 acre agriculture land in Hauz Khas village in New Delhi. He also owns a residential in Bhubaneswar. He is associated with companies including IMFA and State’s premiere news channel Odisha Television Limited. He has 1/12^th share in 12,400 acre stretch agricultural land

Panda’s has made investments in bonds and shares, besides debentures and units in 20 companies and mutual funds