With 575 % Rise, BJP's Parag Shah Is Richest Candidate In Maharashtra, Ghatkopar MLA Says 'I'm Honest...'

Around 8,000 candidates have filed nominations for the upcoming assembly elections in Maharashtra, with BJP's Parag Shah emerging as the wealthiest among them. The sitting MLA for Ghatkopar East has declared assets valued at ₹3,383.06 crore, according to his election affidavit. This marks a staggering increase of 575% over the past five years; in the 2019 assembly elections, Shah reported his assets as ₹550.62 crore.Shah while defending his wealth, told NDTV, "I am an honest candidate. Even my enemies have never claimed that I am not honest." He added, "A man's wealth is not his property but his feelings. Many people have wealth but I have the urge to make good use of it. I believe that God has given me everything, the country has given me everything, so I should also give something... I am a leader, a businessman and also a social worker. I give more than 50 per cent of my savings for social service."As the chairman of the MICI Group, a position he has held for 25 years, Shah has recently attracted attention due to a brief illness. However, he dismissed concerns, saying, "In politics, if you cough the other person starts thinking that you have tuberculosis."The Election Commission announced the poll dates for Maharashtra Assembly elections. The Maharashtra Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on November 20. The counting of votes will be done on November 23.Lok Sabha ElectionsIn the Lok Sabha election held this year, MVA won 30 of the state's 48 Lok Sabha seats. The ruling alliance won 17. One seat went to an Independent candidate.Maharashtra is currently governed by the Mahayuti coalition, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. This ruling alliance includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Shiv Sena under Shinde's leadership, and the NCP headed by Ajit Pawar. The state legislature consists of 288 seats.