A new report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has identified the wealthiest contenders in the 2026 Kerala Assembly polls, revealing that 39% of all candidates are now "crorepatis." The analysis, released on Saturday, underscores a sharp rise in "money power," with the average assets per candidate jumping to ₹2.78 crore, up from ₹1.69 crore in the 2021 elections.
The report examined affidavits of 863 candidates contesting the April 9 elections.
The ADR report classifies candidate income based on their most recent Income Tax Returns (ITR). For the 2026 Assembly polls, the analysis primarily focuses on filings from the 2024–25 and 2025–26 financial years, providing a current snapshot of the candidates' annual earnings and tax compliance.
Topping the list of affluent candidates is Chenkal Rajasekharan (BJP), contesting from the Neyyattinkara constituency. With total declared assets of ₹116.94 crore, the prominent hotelier and educationalist has emerged as the wealthiest contender in the 2026 Kerala Assembly polls, narrowly overtaking his party colleague and former Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar (BJP), who is contesting from the crucial Nemom constituency.
According to Chandrasekhar's election affidavit, he has declared total assets amounting to ₹111.99 crore, a figure that includes significant investments in technology and infrastructure firms.
Kerala Congress candidate Shibu Theckumpuram (Kothamangalam) has emerged as one of the wealthiest contenders with assets totalling ₹68.65 crore.
According to his election affidavit, Dr Prathap Kumar N. (BJP), contesting from the Kollam constituency, has declared total assets amounting to ₹55 crore, positioning him as one of the wealthiest professional candidates in the assembly race.
BJP leader Padmaja Venugopal, who is contesting from the Thrissur constituency, has declared total assets worth ₹32.85 crore.
Moses Henry Motha, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Ernakulam constituency, has declared total assets worth ₹10.02 crore in his 2026 election affidavit.
UDF’s star candidate for Palakkad, Ramesh Pisharody, enters the 2026 assembly race with declared assets totalling ₹4.52 crore.
Gean Lavina Monteiro, contesting as an independent candidate from the Manjeshwar constituency, has total assets worth ₹2,37 crore.
K.B. Ganesh Kumar continues his streak in Pathanapuram with a ₹17.41 crore declaration. Independent candidate Dr Wilson Rockey has emerged as a financially strong contender in Thiruvambady with ₹6.95 crore.