Wealthy politicians identifying as farmers amid agrarian crisis in Maharashtra

While farm suicides and the agrarian crisis are commonly associated with Maharashtra, the election affidavits of prominent political figures reveal a different narrative. Many of these leaders identify as farmers or social workers, yet their reported assets amount to crores, reported TOI.

Among the notable wealthy farmers in the electoral race are Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Opposition Leader Vijay Wadettiwar of Congress, state BJP President Chandrashekhar Bawankule, state Congress Chief Nana Patole, and former Minister Aditya Thackeray, among others.

An analysis by the Times of India shows that Shinde and his family have assets totaling Rs 37.7 crore, which includes Rs 9.2 crore in movable assets and Rs 28.5 crore in immovable assets. Former Chief Minister and current Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, a five-time MLA, has assets of Rs 13.3 crore, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has the highest declared assets among top state leaders at Rs 124.5 crore. Notably, all three ministers identify farming as their profession.

Leader of the Opposition Wadettiwar, who has only completed Class 10, reports family assets of Rs 94.5 crore and also lists farming as his primary occupation. State Congress President Patole, an HSC graduate, identifies as a farmer and operates a farm-related business with assets of Rs 5.3 crore.

Both state presidents of national parties, BJP’s Bawankule and Congress’ Patole, are classified as wealthy farmers. Bawankule, a three-time MLA, has assets of Rs 48.5 crore, including Rs 43.8 crore in immovable properties under his wife’s name. Former Minister Aditya Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray, reports assets worth Rs 23.4 crore and describes himself as a social worker, earning Rs 6 crore over the last five financial years (2019-20 to 2023-24).

Current Cooperation Minister Dilip Walse Patil, a former home minister, has declared assets of Rs 6 crore and identifies as a farmer. Veteran politician and current Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, contesting from Yeola on an NCP (Ajit) ticket, lists assets worth Rs 30.1 crore as an agriculturist.

CA Julfesh Shah noted that individuals who report complete agricultural income are entitled to total income tax relief.

(With inputs from TOI)