Who said you need a degree from the IIT and an MBA from foreign universities to earn in crores? A look at the assets declared by candidates fielded by various parties in the Assembly constituencies in Chennai show that even those who have passed class X can earn in crores if they are in the business of politics.
DMK candidate from Virugambakkam K. Dhanasekaran, a sitting Chennai corporation councillor who has passed only class X, has declared assets of `7.39 crore in the affidavit filed by him with the Election Commission. His profession, according to records, is politics and social service.
B. Valarmathi, AIADMK candidate from Thousand lights, who has also listed her educational qualification as class X, shows `3.35 crore as assets. Though she is a social worker, her husband is a businessman.
In the case of Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, a DMK strongman and minister contesting from Egmore constituency, his total asset is `5.77 crore. He is another candidate who has completed only class X. He has shown liability of over `3 crore.
Another candidate who has shown high income with less educational qualification is Saidai Duraisamy, contesting from Kolathur on the AIADMK ticket. His has studied only up to class X but has accumulated wealth worth `64.45 crore. However, he has shown liability of `44 crore. Mr Duraiswamy is into real estate and agriculture.
V. Neelakandan, another AIADMK candidate who says he has just completed class X, is contesting from Thiru Vi Ka nagar. He runs a granite business and says he is worth over `4.8 crore.