Guwahati, May 5: A report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has revealed that 17 per cent of newly elected MLAs in Assam have declared criminal cases against themselves, while an overwhelming 85 per cent are crorepatis. The analysis, based on affidavits of all 126 winning candidates in the 2026 assembly elections, highlights both a decline in criminal cases and a sharp rise in wealth among legislators.

According to the report, 21 MLAs have declared criminal cases, including 19 facing serious charges. This marks a drop from 2021, when 34 MLAs (27 per cent) had criminal cases, with 28 facing serious charges. Among the current winners, three have cases related to attempt to murder, while two face charges linked to crimes against women.

The data shows significant variation across parties. Of the BJP’s 82 winners, seven (9 per cent) have declared criminal cases, while nine of Congress’s 19 MLAs (47 per cent) face such charges. Both winners from the All India United Democratic Front and one Trinamool Congress candidate also reported criminal cases. In contrast, all 10 winners from the Bodoland People’s Front have clean records.

The report also underscores a steep rise in wealth among legislators. As many as 107 MLAs are crorepatis, compared to 67 per cent in 2021. The total declared assets of all winners stand at ₹1,112 crore, with the average asset per MLA nearly doubling to ₹8.82 crore from ₹4.59 crore five years ago.

Party-wise, 90 per cent of BJP MLAs are crorepatis, followed by 74 per cent in Congress and 80 per cent in the Bodoland People’s Front. All winners from AIUDF, AITC, and Raijor Dal have declared assets exceeding ₹1 crore. AIUDF candidates top the wealth chart with average assets of ₹117.77 crore, followed by BPF at ₹9.92 crore and BJP at ₹7.50 crore.

Mohammed Badruddin Ajmal of AIUDF is the richest MLA with assets worth over ₹226 crore, followed by Sewli Mohilary of the Bodoland People’s Front at ₹63 crore, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma with assets of ₹35 crore.