A study by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) published in 2023 pointed out that the assets of 71 parliamentarians in India had increased by around 286% in 10 years. All of them had served as MPs for a decade. At the all-India level, the highest increase was recorded in the case of the family assets of Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, BJP MP from Vijayapura and veteran Dalit leader.
A look into his affidavits over the years, also taking into account the latest one he submitted ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, reveals some interesting facts. The assets acquired by Ramesh Jigajinagi and late wife Shobha saw a growth of 100 times in two decades. Mr. Jigajinagi, a career politician whose children run a solar farm, vineyards and wineries, has recorded a 4,189% increase in assets in 10 years, and around 10,000% in 20 years. Most of his assets are self-acquired.
He credits the aggressive growth to the escalation of land prices due to urbanisation.
