Dollars at Dusk: The Net Worth Showdown – Modi vs. Rahul

As per the available information from the PMO website and the self-sworn affidavit submitted by Rahul Gandhi prior to the last Lok Sabha elections, a financial comparison reveals that the former Congress president is approximately 637.9 per cent wealthier than Prime Minister Modi. While PM Modi's assets are valued at Rs 2.23 crore, Rahul's assets amount to Rs 14.85 crore.

It's interesting to note that the assets declared by the Prime Minister as of March 2022, totaling Rs 2.32 crore, are lower than the figures of Rs 2.85 crore in 2020 and Rs 2.49 crore in 2019. In contrast, Rahul's assets have witnessed growth from Rs 9.4 crore in 2014 to Rs 14.8 crore in the five-year span between 2014 and 2019.

This comparison provides a financial snapshot, illustrating the differing economic profiles of Prime Minister Modi and Rahul Gandhi over the specified periods.

The political landscape in India is gearing up for a seismic shift as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi brace themselves for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Modi, eyeing a historic third term, faces a formidable challenge from Rahul, whose determination to unseat the ruling government will be put to the ultimate test.

Historical patterns indicate that election seasons are not just about ballots but are also marked by a flurry of allegations and counter-allegations. The lead-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections witnessed the Bharatiya Janata Party launching a relentless offensive against the Congress, leveling accusations related to various alleged scams, including the infamous 2G, coal, aviation, and CWG scandals. Fast forward to the 2019 elections, and the air was thick with the resonating chant of "Chowkidaar Chor Hai," a pointed reference to the Prime Minister amidst allegations of irregularities in the Rafale jets deal with France.

As the political arena braces for another round of electoral fervor in 2024, the stakes have never been higher, and the contest between Modi and Rahul is set to unfold as a critical juncture in the nation's democratic narrative.

As the anticipation builds for the 2024 elections in India, the Congress party is gearing up to bring the spotlight onto industrialist Gautam Adani and his purported ties to Prime Minister Modi, making it a significant focal point of the upcoming polls. Even as the campaign strategies for both political fronts are still taking form, there's a curious intrigue surrounding the personal financial standing of the two prominent leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress.

With allegations and counter-allegations shaping the political discourse, the financial positions of these leaders are likely to play a pivotal role in the narrative of the election. As the electoral stage is being set, the nation awaits a closer look into where the top leaders of the BJP and the Congress stand personally on the financial spectrum, adding an extra layer of complexity to an already dynamic and closely watched political landscape.

As of March 2022, according to details available on the website of the Prime Minister’s Office, Narendra Modi's financial profile includes assets worth over Rs 2.23 crore. These assets are primarily in the form of bank deposits. It's noteworthy that PM Modi does not own any immovable property, and a piece of land that he previously held in Gandhinagar has been donated by him, as indicated by the disclosure from the PMO.

The mentioned land was valued at Rs 1.1 crore as of March 31, 2021. This transparency in financial disclosure is part of the standard practice for public officials, providing insight into their personal wealth and assets.

According to the information available on the PMO website, as of March 31, 2022, Prime Minister Modi's total assets amount to Rs 2,23,82,504. Notably, the residential plot worth Rs 1.1 crore that he jointly owned with three individuals is no longer under his name. However, there has been an increase of Rs 26.13 lakh in the Prime Minister's movable assets compared to the previous year.

As of the mentioned date, Prime Minister Modi had Rs 35,250 in cash. His National Savings Certificates were valued at Rs 9,05,105, and his insurance policies were worth Rs 1,89,305. Interestingly, the disclosure reveals that Modi does not own any vehicles, bonds, shares, or mutual funds. On the other hand, he does possess four gold rings with a combined value of Rs 1.73 lakh.

The details shed light on the Prime Minister's modest financial holdings, aligning with his statement from December 2016 when he said, "Hum to fakeer aadmi hain. Jhola utha ke chal padenge" (We are ascetic people. We will set out with a bag on our shoulder). These details contribute to the transparency surrounding the Prime Minister's personal finances.

In January 2017, Rahul Gandhi made a noteworthy statement, drawing attention to the apparent contradiction between Prime Minister Modi's high-end clothing, valued at Rs 15 lakh, and his own choice of a khadi kurta with a torn pocket. Fast forward six years, at the recent Congress plenary in Chhattisgarh, Rahul highlighted a personal aspect of his life, stating that despite being 52 years old, he doesn't possess a house. This narrative not only underscores his emphasis on simplicity but also reflects a certain perspective on political leadership and personal values.

As per the self-sworn affidavit submitted during his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections in 2019 in Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi disclosed assets totaling Rs 14,85,48,346. This reflects an increase of Rs 4.85 crore from 2014 when he had declared assets worth Rs 10 crore.

Breaking down the figures from the 2019 affidavit, Rahul listed movable assets at Rs 5,80,58,799 and immovable assets at Rs 7,93,03,977. For the financial year 2017-18, his declared income was Rs 1,11,85,570. The total value of self-acquired assets was Rs 8,75,70,000, and he held Rs 17,93,693 in bank deposits, as stated in the affidavit.

These financial details offer a snapshot of Rahul Gandhi's assets, providing transparency into his financial standing during the specified period.

According to the affidavit filed in 2019, Rahul Gandhi's financial portfolio reveals a detailed breakdown. He maintains Rs 40,000 in cash, inherits assets valued at Rs 1,32,48,284, and has investments amounting to Rs 5,19,44,682 in shares and bonds. His Public Provident Fund (PPF) and postal savings combined total Rs 39,89,037. The jewelry in his possession, consisting of 330.300 grams of gold, is valued at Rs 2,91,367, according to the affidavit filed ahead of the 2019 polls.

Concerning inherited property, Rahul jointly holds 2.34 acres of agricultural land with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in New Delhi’s Mehrauli. Additionally, he owns a 5838-sq-feet commercial building worth Rs 8,57,70,000 in Gurugram. In his affidavit, Rahul listed bank loans amounting to Rs 72,01,904 and a personal loan of Rs 5 lakh from his mother Sonia Gandhi as liabilities.

This comprehensive disclosure provides a detailed glimpse into Rahul Gandhi's financial holdings, showcasing his assets, investments, and inherited properties, along with associated liabilities.