‘Industries minister poorer by Rs 8.69 cr’

State Industries Minister Saurabh Patel, who lost Rs 8.69 crore or 13% of his total assets in five years, remains the sole MLA to have become poorer since 2007, a comparison of finances mentioned in candidates' affidavits by the Gujarat Election Watch, released Friday, shows.

The BJP candidate from Akota (Patel fought the last Assembly polls from Botad in Bhavnagar district) has mentioned his total assets worth Rs 56.60 crore in his affidavit.

Patel is also among five candidates to have gotten poorer since 2007. Others are BJP's Godhra candidate Pravin Chauhan, BJP's Rajkot South candidate Govind Patel, INC's Jambusar candidate Laxman Makwana and JD(U)'s Mahuva candidate Mohan Patel, who saw the steepest decline in his assets by 60% (from Rs 2 lakh in 2007 to Rs 80,000 now).

The candidate to top the list, in terms of percentage increase in assets, is BJP's Dhangadhra candidate Jayant Kavadiya. His assets jumped 5,525% from Rs 10.50 lakh in 2007 to Rs 5.91 crore currently.

INC's Sidhpur candidate Balvantsinh Rajput gained the most, increasing his wealth by Rs 233.73 crore in the past five years. He has currently worth Rs 268.40 crore, and is also the richest candidate .

Meanwhile, the poorest candidate is SP's Kalol candidate Balwant Solanki, who has no assets. Also at the bottom is GPP's Danta candidate Ashwin Muli, whose belongings add up to Rs 500.

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