Lok Sabha elections 2024: Shinde Jr, wife’s wealth increased sevenfold in 5 years

Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde filed his nomination on Thursday. Pic/Sameer Markande

The combined assets of Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde and his wife Vrushali skyrocketed from Rs 2 crore in 2019 to Rs 15 crore in 2024. His loans/liabilities also increased from just Rs 12 lakh to Rs 6.6 crore in the same period. Shinde, who is contesting the Kalyan Lok Sabha constituency in Thane district, mentioned business, remuneration, rent and agriculture as his sources of income.

Considered a heavyweight candidate, Shinde filed his nomination on Thursday, declaring his wealth through an affidavit. According to the affidavit, the 37-year-old candidate is an orthopaedic (MS) doctor by profession and possesses property worth Rs 15 crore along with Vrushali, a business consultant.

Wealth comparison

As per the affidavit filed by Shinde during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, he and his wife acquired movable assets, including cash, bank deposits, shares/mutual funds, a car and gold worth Rs 1.41 crore - out of which assets worth R50 lakh belonged to her. Now, they collectively have Rs 8.15 crore in movable assets, including 1.2 kg gold and 3.3 kg silver. Shinde mentioned that no vehicle has been brought in his or his spouse's name.

The couple had land in Satara worth Rs 55 lakh in 2019. Now both have property worth R6.77 crore, including three residential flats in Vrushali's name worth Rs 3.3 crore. Meanwhile, Shinde doesn't have a residential flat in his name but he bought more agricultural land valued at Rs 2.71 crore.

The overall property increased from Rs 1.96 crore to Rs 14.92 crore. Shinde mentioned in the affidavit that his sources of income are occupation, business, business consultancy, rent and agriculture among others. The couple has taken loans from banks as well as many individuals worth Rs 1.68 crore and have liabilities worth around Rs 5 crore. Shinde has Rs 3.99 lakh cash in hand and has taken a Rs 2.30 lakh loan from Vrushali while she has taken a Rs 1.05 crore loan from one Laxman Kadam. In all, Vrushali possesses property worth Rs 7.41 crore.

Raut's allegations

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on April 16, questioned the source of income of a charity organisation controlled by Shinde, saying the funds could have been misused for political gain. He further alleged that Rs 550 crore had been funnelled through this organisation and misused for non-charity purposes. Raut said he had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and state Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis about the foundation. The Shiv Sena dismissed the allegations, saying the foundation has undertaken numerous developmental works and provided financial assistance to the needy.

Rs 7.41cr
Value of property owned by Vrushali