Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday said that he does not own any property apart from his official salary and that his family earns their livelihood through honest means. The Chief Minister made this statement while responding to a journalist’s question regarding allegations made by opposition parties about his family’s assets.
Speaking to reporters, Sarma said, “I don’t have any property. My wife works and eats from what she earns.. We don’t steal from anyone. Whatever we have .. comes from our hard work. If someone works sincerely and earns honestly, what is the problem in that?”
The Chief Minister added that he lives on his salary alone and has no additional income sources. “Apart from my salary, I don’t have anything,” he said.
Sarma also pointed out that even ordinary people like a tea stall owner earn their living through work, and there is nothing wrong in doing so. “Even a tea stall owner earns money by working hard. Similarly, if my wife does a job or takes part in business, what objection can there be? It is her right to work,” he said.
His comments come amid ongoing discussions about politicians’ wealth and transparency. Interestingly, just a few months earlier, the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) had listed Himanta Biswa Sarma as the 9th richest Chief Minister in India, based on the assets he declared in his election affidavit. According to ADR’s 2024 report, Sarma had declared total assets worth ₹17 crore.
In that report, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu topped the list as the richest CM in India, declaring assets of about ₹931 crore, followed by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu with ₹332 crore. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stood third with ₹51 crore, while Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio ranked fourth with ₹46 crore.