At 5,053cr, AAP’s Rajinder Gupta 2nd richest in RS

Bathinda: Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab feature at both ends of the wealth spectrum, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs accounting for the second-highest and the lowest declared assets, according to an Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analysis released Thursday.Among Punjab MPs, AAP's Rajinder Gupta has declared assets worth Rs 5,053 crore, the second highest in the Rajya Sabha, while party colleague Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has the lowest at Rs 3.79 lakh.The seven Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab together have assets worth Rs 5,729 crore, placing the state second after Telangana in total assets. Two (29%) of these MPs have declared assets exceeding Rs 100 crore.In neighbouring Haryana, one out of five Rajya Sabha MPs (20%) has declared assets above Rs 100 crore, the report said. Data for Himachal Pradesh was not highlighted separately in the ADR state-wise high-asset category.The report, analysing 229 of 233 Rajya Sabha MPs, pegged the average assets per MP at Rs 120.69 crore. It also noted that two AAP Rajya Sabha MPs from Punjab have declared criminal cases, including one involving serious charges.