A study conducted by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in 2023 revealed that the assets of 71 parliamentarians in India had increased by approximately 286% over a span of 10 years. Among them, Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) from Vijayapura constituency in Karnataka, saw the highest increase in family assets. Analyzing Jigajinagi’s affidavits over the years, it is evident that his assets, along with those of his late wife Shobha, have grown by a staggering 100 times in just two decades.
Jigajinagi, a veteran Dalit leader and career politician, has witnessed a remarkable surge of 4,189% in his assets over a period of 10 years and an astounding 10,000% increase in 20 years. His assets, which mostly comprise self-acquired properties, have skyrocketed from ₹54 lakh in 2004 to a whopping ₹54 crore in present times. Similarly, his assets grew from ₹1.18 crore in 2009 to ₹8.94 crore in 2014 and further to ₹50.41 crore in 2019, registering an overall increase of 4,189%.
The BJP MP attributes the aggressive growth to the escalating land prices resulting from urbanization. He explains that his late wife had purchased some land outside Vijayapura and Bengaluru several years ago, which eventually became a part of the expanding city. As a result, its value surged considerably. He emphasizes that land prices in Bengaluru have also witnessed a significant increase.
Currently contesting his seventh Lok Sabha election from Vijayapura, Jigajinagi previously served as a Union Minister of State for Drinking Water and Sanitation from 2016 to 2019. However, his assets witnessed only marginal growth between 2019 and 2024, increasing by approximately ₹3 crore during this five-year period.
Ramesh Jigajinagi, who hails from a humble background, was born to Chandappa, a landless laborer from Atharga village in undivided Bijapur district. He pursued a BA degree and became a loyal follower of Ramakrishna Hegde, the former Chief Minister and leader of the Janata Parivar. Having contested in 10 elections, he lost only one and holds the distinction of winning elections as a candidate of different parties. He secured victory in the Chikkodi Lok Sabha seat as a member of the Janata Party, Janata Dal, and Lok Shakti. Since 2004, he has been associated with the BJP following the demise of his mentor.
