Bihar Elections Reveal Stark Economic Divide as Richest and Poorest Candidates Stand Side by Side

Bihar: Vikassheel Insaan Party candidate Ran Kaushal Pratap Singh from Lauriya is officially the richest candidate contesting in Bihar this year. In his election affidavit, he has declared assets worth nearly ₹373 crore. These include non-agricultural land, real estate investments, shares, luxury vehicles, and gold jewelry. His wife too has declared high-value assets which raises the combined family wealth even further.

This level of personal wealth in politics often represents influence, reach, and a powerful social network. Singh is contesting as part of the Mahagathbandhan alliance and is considered a strong contender in his region. For many voters, wealth can symbolize leadership, while for others, it raises questions about fairness and representation.

Who stands at the very bottom?

On the other side of the economic spectrum is Sunil Kumar, contesting from the Pirpainti (SC) seat under the BSP banner, who has declared zero assets. His affidavit shows no land, no financial savings, and no property under his name. His profile reflects a completely different reality of Indian politics where individuals from modest or difficult backgrounds also step forward to contest elections. Such candidates are often driven by local issues and personal connection with the voters instead of financial power. Their campaign relies heavily on public trust rather than advertisements or large rallies. The contrast between a candidate worth hundreds of crores and one with no wealth at all shows how wide the economic gap is within the same political battlefield.

How wide is the overall wealth gap?

This year, around 2,600 candidates are competing for 243 assembly seats in Bihar. Out of these, 1,081 candidates, nearly 42%, have declared assets worth more than one crore. In comparison, during the 2020 elections, only 33% of candidates were crorepatis. This increase shows how money is becoming more influential in Bihar’s political landscape. The average asset value per candidate today is ₹3.35 crore, which is almost double the average of ₹1.72 crore recorded in the previous elections. As campaign expenses, outreach efforts, and political visibility continue to rise, financial capability has become a significant advantage.

Does wealth decide winning or losing?

While financial strength plays a major role in organizing campaign teams, rallies, and political promotion, elections are not won by money alone. Voters in Bihar still consider leadership, caste alignment, local works, personal accessibility, and community reputation. Wealthy candidates may have stronger visibility, but candidates with emotional connection and trust among the public often gain stronger loyalty. Political success in Bihar is therefore a combination of resources, message, identity, and ground presence. This dynamic ensures that the election remains multipolar and competitive, rather than purely money-driven.

Why do poor candidates still stand strong?

Candidates from humble backgrounds often campaign through road meetings, door-to-door conversations, and public dialogues. These small-scale interactions build trust, which big rallies cannot always achieve. When a poor candidate speaks, people often feel the message comes from shared reality and lived experiences. Their campaign is shaped by personal struggle, which connects emotionally with voters facing similar challenges. However, such candidates must work harder to stay visible because they lack large media outreach. Their strength lies in sincerity and perseverance rather than financial show.

What does the Election Commission ensure?

To maintain transparency, the Election Commission requires candidates to submit affidavits detailing their assets and liabilities. This helps voters understand who they are choosing and what financial power their representatives hold. It also prevents hidden money from influencing politics, though not always completely. Public access to such information encourages accountability. However, money in politics remains a complex issue as financial influence continues to shape elections more strongly each year.

What should voters focus on?

In the end, voters must look beyond wealth and assess a candidate's credibility, work record, honesty, and commitment to their region. Bihar stands at a point where public decisions will shape leadership and development for the next five years. Whether the candidate is extremely wealthy or has no assets, what matters most is who will work for the people after winning. The true responsibility of democracy lies in informed voting choices.