Criminal cases against four ministers in Gujarat cabinet, serious case against one

After the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) record-breaking win in the Gujarat assembly polls, Bhupendra Patel returned to the post of chief minister for a second term. He took oath as the 18th chief minister of Gujarat along with 16 ministers, including Kanubhai Mohanlal Desai, Rushikesh Ganeshbhai Patel, Patel Raghavjibhai Hansrajbhai, Balvantsinh Chandan Singh Rajput, Kunwarji Mohanbhai Babariya, Mulubhai Haridasbhai Bera, and others.

Now a report by Gujarat Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms has revealed that out of 17 ministers, including CM Bhupendra Patel, four (24%) ministers have declared criminal cases against themselves, and one has declared a senior criminal case against himself. The findings are based on the self-sworn affidavits of the 17 ministers.

Speaking about their financial background, 16 (94%) out of the 17 ministers analysed, are crorepatis and the average assets of 17 ministers is Rs 32.70 crore.

The minister with the highest declared total assets is Balvantsinh Chandansinh Rajput from Sidhpur constituency, with assets worth Rs 372.65 crore, whereas the minister with the lowest declared total assets is Khabad Bachubhai Maganbhai from Devgadhbaria constituency, with assets worth Rs 92.85 lakh.

A total of 14 ministers have declared liabilities, of which the minister with the highest liabilities is Balvantsinh Chandansinh Rajput of Sidhpur constituency with Rs 12.59 crore of liabilities.

6(35%) ministers have declared their educational qualification to be between 8th and 12th standard while 8(47%) ministers have declared having an educational qualification of graduate or above. Three (18%) ministers have a diploma.

Three (18%) ministers have declared their ages to be between 31 and 50 years, while 14 (82%) ministers have declared their age to be between 51 and 80 years.

Out of 17 ministers, one (6%) is a woman.