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Guess who the richest Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in India is? Scroll down to find out.
Alongside the Telecoms Bill, Data Privacy Bill, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, UPI and other measures, India is building a world-leading India Stack, to future-proof the economy for digitally-enabled growth in the coming decade.
Last week saw two important Digital India announcements. First, India’s landmark Personal Data Protection Bill passed (it’s equivalent of GDPR). Second - and one that received almost no coverage in the media - is that instead of banning e-pharmacies, as the government has threatened to do multiple times thanks to a powerful wholesale pharmacy lobby, India will launch an online portal for drug sales.
Money power in Indian politics
In most democracies, a study by Carnes and Lupu in 2016 found that politicians are vastly better-off than citizens they represent in democracies. It comes as no surprise that India also follows this pattern.
A recent study published in July 2023 by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) looked at Indian MLA and gathered data on their criminal background, average assets, age and gender. The study found that Indian state lawmakers are worth an average of Rs 12.66 crores (crore = Rs 10,000,000 = c.£100,000).
The study analysed and presented data based on different states as well. It found that Karnataka was the state with the highest value of average MLA assets at Rs 64.39 crores, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Karnataka is also the state with the highest percentage of billionaire MLAs at 14%. Another set of data analysis done by India Today found Andhra Pradesh to have the highest inequality between its population and its MPs in 2019. Alternatively, the states with the lowest value of average MLA assets were Tripura at Rs 1.54 crore followed by West Bengal and Kerala.
Looking more closely at parties, the ADR reported the Indian National Congress as the political party with the largest share of billionaires, with 4.6% of MLAs being billionaires. 1.77% of the The Bharatiya Janata Party’s MLAs are billionaires.
This study comes as one of many reporting the domination of money power in Indian elections. From 2009-2014, the average wealth of Indian politicians rose at an annual pace of 24%. In 2019, Indian Lok Sabha MPs were 1400 times richer than their constituents. Candidates self-financing themselves is a trend becoming increasingly noticeable in Indian politics, leading to an increase of businessmen shifting into politics as seen in the 2019 Lok Sabha election.
When the cost of politics increases, fewer politicians enter and incumbents increase due to their increased access to resources, connections and established relationships. Political science studies find that higher costs deter non-elites from running for a position in politics. As a result, Indian politics runs the risk of further becoming an elitist project subject to the pockets of the few over the will of the many.
The consequences of this are plentiful. For one, academic literature has found that higher salaries decrease the quality of a politician on average. Neelanjan Sircar, a senior fellow at the Centre of Policy Research describes how if financial criteria becomes more significant in parties selecting candidates, then prioritising their competence is overlooked.
Vice-President of the Centre of Indian Trade Unions, D L Karad describes Indian democracy as a ‘’business’’ under which candidates look at elections as an investment where voters are bribed. To illustrate, in 2021 there were reports of illegal inducements given to voters such as liquor and cash during April polls, the value of which crossed Rs 1000 crore according to the Election Commission. Upon winning, Karad describes the winner ‘taking a cut of every contract and looting the exchequer’. Professor Vernier of Ashoka University outlines a businessman’s incentive to enter government to advantage themselves and their business partners.
Top 10 Members of Legislative Assembly with the highest assets
1. D K Shivakumar (INC) - Kanakapura, Karnataka 2023 - Total Assets: ₹1413 crore
2. K H Puttaswamy Gowda (IND) - Gauribidanur, Karnataka 2023 - Total Assets: ₹1267 crore
3. Priyakrishna (INC) - Govindarajanagar, Karnataka 2023 - Total Assets: ₹1156 crore
4. N. Chandrababu Naidu (TDP) - Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh 2019 - Total Assets: ₹668 crore
5. Jayantibhai Somabhai Patel (BJP) - Mansa, Gujarat 2022 - Total Assets: ₹661 crore
6. Suresha B S (INC) - Hebbal, Karnataka 2023 - Total Assets: ₹648 crore
7. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (YSRCP) - Pulivendla, Andhra Pradesh 2019 - Total Assets: ₹510 crore
8. Parag Shah (BJP) - Ghatkopar East, Maharashtra 2019 - Total Assets: ₹500 crore
9. T.s. Baba (INC) - Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh 2018 - Total Assets: ₹500 crore
10. Mangalprabhat Lodha (BJP) - Malabar Hill, Maharashtra 2019 - Total Assets: ₹441 crore
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In Conversation With Rina Dhaka (6:30pm, Wed 23 Aug | India Club, Strand | Book here)
Rina Dhaka is an acclaimed designer referred to as the ‘Gautier’ of the East by the BBC. She is celebrated for her combinations of traditional Indian fashions with current day fabrics like Lycra and jersey. Termed by many as a fashion connoisseur , Rina Dhaka invented ‘’Lycra Churidars’’ and regularly bridges traditionally rich and contemporary relevant styles in her fashion collections. At India Fashion Week, her work was recognized as the best collection in Milan, and has won the best designer award in Miami Fashion Week 2004.
The session will be in a relaxed Q&A format in conversation with Sangeeta Waldron, on Rina’s career, motivations and taking Indian fashion global. After the session, we will have time for drinks, snacks and networking.
When: 6 – 8 pm, Wed 23 August
Where: The India Club, 143 Strand, London WC2R 1JA
Book: Bridge India Members: Free (RSVP to kaviesh@bridgeindia.org.uk) | Others: £10 bookable here or on Eventbrite here | Drinks and snacks provided
Asian Achievers Awards (6:30pm, Fri 15 September | London Hilton on Park Lane | Book here)
The Shortlist for the Awards has been announced here. To book, note that there are special discounts available for Bridge India Members.
The Filmy Shilmy Show: A spotlight on British Asian filmmakers (6:30pm, Fri 22 September | Rich Mix, Shoreditch, London | Book here)
ReelN teams up with Filme Shilmy for a brand-new talk show platforming South Asian film talent.
The first edition of the show will see candid conversation with three award-winning filmmakers including Pravesh Kuma MBE (Little English), Nathalia Syam (Footprints On Water) and Dr Parvinder Shergill who co-produced Kaur, a trailblazing short on ITVX.
The panel will be moderated by entertainment journalist Anuj Radia. The discussion will centre around the process of making cinema that is rooted and reflective of ethnic lives within the Western world, as well as touching on the wider themes of the films and the challenges independent filmmakers face in gaining mainstream traction.
Ramayana: A puppet show (6pm, Fri 10 Nov | Central London | Book here)
Bridge India is delighted to host an exciting evening of culture in celebration of Diwali, in collaboration with StoryHour UK.
The Ramayana Puppet Show is StoryHour UK’s flagship performance. A timeless piece of culture and art, this story narrates the epic tale behind the festival of Diwali, using uniquely hand-crafted puppets. Having been performed across many different audiences, this puppet show has been celebrated for capturing the essence of a classic. The show has been screened at various Indian embassies across Europe and schools in London while also being readily available in 6 languages here. It has been applauded by Indian Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor, author Amish Tripathi and others.
Alongside a screening of the puppet show, there will be live puppeteers demonstrating scenes from the Ramayana, with an installation of the six puppets, followed by a talk and Q&A with producer Neelima Penumarthy.
When: 5 – 6:30pm, Wed 19 July
Where: Central London
Book: Bridge India Members: £10 | Others: £20 bookable here | Drinks and snacks provided
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