Kolkata, 03 April (H.S.): Senior Congress leader and party candidate from the Baharampur Assembly constituency, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, filed his nomination for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections on Thursday. His election affidavit has revealed several key details regarding his assets, liabilities and pending criminal cases.

According to the affidavit, Chowdhury has Rs 94,500 in cash, while his wife Atasi Chowdhury has Rs 7.25 lakh in cash. He holds a total deposit of Rs 6,42,611 across four bank accounts. His other movable assets include mutual fund investments worth Rs 8,15,705, a life insurance policy valued at Rs 3 lakh, a car worth Rs 22,27,000 and gold jewellery worth Rs 27,60,000. His total movable assets are valued at Rs 48,40,602.

His wife’s movable assets are valued at Rs 1,27,89,934, which include bank deposits in two accounts, mutual fund investments, a life insurance policy, a car worth Rs 2,79,000 and jewellery valued at around Rs 1,00,74,000.

The affidavit also mentions that his dependent child has movable assets worth Rs 27,92,329.

Chowdhury’s immovable assets, including land, houses and flats, are valued at Rs 6,73,15,500, while his wife’s immovable assets are valued at Rs 4,32,28,500.

In terms of liabilities, the affidavit shows total dues of Rs 24,62,000, including a bank loan of Rs 7,91,000 in his wife’s name.

The affidavit further reveals that three criminal cases are pending against Chowdhury, two in Murshidabad district and one in Malda district. However, charges are yet to be framed in any of these cases.

As per his educational qualifications, Chowdhury studied up to Class 9. Despite this, he has been known for his effective speeches in Parliament in both Hindi and English during his long political career.

Regarding his political journey, he first contested the Assembly elections in 1991 from the Nabagram constituency in Murshidabad but lost. He later won from the same seat in 1996 to become an MLA for the first time. He subsequently served as a five-time Member of Parliament from Baharampur and held key positions including Union Minister of State for Railways, Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha and President of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee.

In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he lost to Trinamool Congress candidate Yusuf Pathan. After nearly two years, he is now back in the electoral fray through the Assembly elections.

According to the affidavit, his profession is listed as politician and social worker, with his primary source of income being his salary and allowances as a Member of Parliament. His wife is stated to be working as a consultant for a special programme of an international organisation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh