Congress candidate from Palampur assembly constituency, Brij Behari Butail is the richest politician contesting 2012 Himachal Pradesh Assembly election. He declared his property of about Rs 150 crore besides other movable assets. He owns no jewellery, whereas his wife owns jewellery of Rs 16 lakh, including 550gm gold.
Butial, who has been a four-time MLA from Palampur, hails from the family of renowned freedom fighter and Gandhian Kanhiya Lal Butail. In the past, Butial had hold many prestigious responsibilities in the State Govt. He was the political advisor to the former CM and also remained Cabinet state revenue minister in the previous Govt. At Palampur, Butail owned a tea garden known as the Butail tea estate.
There are about 22 multi-millionaire candidates across the state, which includes 13 from BJP, six from Congress and two independents, according to sources.
Regarding education of candidates in the state, one is 8th pass, seven are 10th pass, ten candidates are 12th pass, 18 are graduates, 16 have graduation degrees in professional course, 13 are post-graduates while two have doctorates.
Moreover, there are about 38% candidates who have criminal cases filed against them. As many as 26 candidates have criminal cases against them.
