SRINAGAR: Seven BJP candidates who have filed their nomination papers for the upcoming third phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections have revealed their wealth, with former Minister Sham Lal Sharma, contesting from Jammu North, being the wealthiest among them.
Sham Lal Sharma declared assets worth Rs 15.80 crore in immovable property and Rs 1.93 crore in movable assets. His wealth includes agricultural and non-agricultural land, a commercial building in Pata Ploura, a residential house in Pallanwalla, and a flour mill. Of his total assets, Rs 15.70 crore are self-acquired, with Rs 10 lakh inherited. Additionally, his wife owns Rs 2.36 crore in assets, including 1.72 kg of gold. Sham Lal Sharma also reported loan liabilities of Rs 1.22 crore.
Pawan Kumar Gupta, the BJP candidate from Udhampur West, follows closely behind with assets totalling Rs 14.88 crore. His wealth comprises Rs 5.24 crore in movable assets, including bank deposits, investments, and jewellery, and Rs 9.64 crore in immovable property, such as agricultural land, shops in Chabutra Bazar and Bahu Fort, and a residential building valued at Rs 4 crore. Most of Pawan Gupta’s assets, amounting to Rs 14.14 crore, are inherited, while Rs 75 lakh are self-acquired. His wife holds Rs 3.38 crore in assets, including 1 kg of gold.
Darshan Kumar, contesting from Basohli, has declared Rs 9.96 crore in assets, comprising Rs 6.88 crore in movable property and Rs 3.08 crore in immovable assets. His wealth stems primarily from a transport business, with 27 trucks and other vehicles in his fleet. He also owns land in Basohli and Bhoond, as well as plots in Maharashtra and Delhi.
Arvind Gupta, standing from Jammu West, has Rs 1.04 crore in movable assets and Rs 63.06 lakh in immovable property. His wife possesses Rs 1.74 crore in movable assets, which includes cars, gold, and silver ornaments.
Jewan Lal, the BJP candidate from Bani, has Rs 15.80 lakh in movable assets and Rs 40 lakh in immovable property. His wife holds Rs 14.50 lakh in movable assets.
Vijay Kumar, contesting from Hiranagar, has Rs 20.98 lakh in movable assets and Rs 55 lakh in immovable property, while his wife has Rs 34.81 lakh in movable assets. He has liabilities amounting to Rs 14.50 lakh in the form of loans.
Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, the candidate from Ramnagar, reported Rs 10.17 lakh in movable assets and Rs 40 lakh in immovable property, making him the least wealthy among the seven candidates. However, he holds a PhD in Business Management and is a Professor at Jammu University, making him the most qualified candidate in terms of education.
Regarding educational background, Vijay Kumar holds an LLB, Jewan Lal has a BSc degree, and Pawan Kumar Gupta is a BE graduate in Civil Engineering from the Regional Engineering College Srinagar. Arvind Gupta is 12th pass, while Sham Lal Sharma and Darshan Kumar are matriculates.
The third phase of the Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir is eagerly anticipated, with these candidates vying for a significant role in shaping the future of the Union Territory.
