BJD MP Baijayant Panda starts his helicopter loaded with relief packets for marooned villagers of flood affected Kendrapada district

The passion of crorepati candidates contesting these elections varies from collecting artworks and paintings to fancy watches, luxury cars and Harley Davidson motorbikes. Some of them love to flaunt gold and diamond jewellery. The Telegraph turns the spotlight on them

Baijayant Panda, 50 (BJD)

Constituency: Kendrapara Lok Sabha seat

BJD’s face on the television, Baijayant Panda has a weakness for flying machines like helicopters. “He loves to fly across the state in his chopper,” said one of his close associates. In the post-Phailin days, he flew his chopper to airdrop relief in the devastated area. In his affidavit to the Election Commission, he has claimed to have assets worth Rs 31 crore.

Pinaki Misra, 54 (BJD)

Constituency: Puri Lok Sabha seat

The richest among the crorepati candidates, Pinaki Misra is an avid collector of art works and paintings. Misra’s total property is worth Rs 137 crore. His property includes paintings and art works worth Rs 1.51 crore. Artworks on legendary nationalist leaders are part of his collection.

Siddhanta Mohapatra, 47 (BJD)

Constituency: Berhampur Lok Sabha seat

Matinee idol Siddhanta Mohapatra is crazy about bikes. The popular cine star-turned-politician is the proud owner of a Harley Davidson motorbike. “I love this machine,” he quipped. He also owns four luxury cars.

Hemendra Chandra Singh, 46 (BJD)

Constituency: Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat

Hemendra Chandra Singh has weakness for luxury cars, motorbikes and expensive watches. While his stable of mean machines includes a BMW and a Toyota Fortuner, he has a wide collection of watches such as Rolex and Omega, which are worth Rs 12 lakh.

“Since my childhood, I love cars and watches. I have gifted my wife a Rolex diamond watch and an Omega constellation watch.” Sources tagged the prices of these watches at around Rs11 lakh.

Rabindra Kumar Jena, 46 (BJD)

Constituency: Balasore Lok Sabha seat

Rabindra Kumar Jena’s property is worth Rs 57 crore. The man, who has been pitted against Congress heavyweight and Union minister Srikant Jena, loves gold jewellery and diamonds. Jena, who earlier worked as a manager in a private company, has a collection of gold jewellery and diamonds worth of Rs 2.55 crore.

Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, 39 (BJD)

Constituency: Balangir Lok Sabha seat

The scion of the Balangir royal family owns property worth Rs 7.6 crore. He has a particular fascination for luxury cars. He has four luxury cars and a sports bike.

Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, 52 (BJP)

Constituency: Balangir Lok Sabha seat

Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, who owns property worth Rs 3.5 crore, is fighting her brother-n-law Kalikesh. The BJP candidate has a soft corner for gold jewellery. Her jewellery collection is worth Rs 15 lakh.

Bhartruhari Mahatab, 57 (BJD)

Constituency: Cuttack Lok Sabha seat

Bhartruhari Mahatab’s moveable and immovable assets are worth Rs 8 crore. He has a penchant for luxury cars and gold. He and his wife possess gold and silver worth Rs 2.20 crore. He has five luxury cars, including a Mercedez Benz.

Sunjoy Hans, 50 (Ama Odisha Party)

Constituency: Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat & Ekamra Assembly seat

The business tycoon owns the city’s biggest jewellery showroom. Huns, whose assets are worth Rs 57 crore, has a weakness for luxury cars. He has two luxury cars — Toyota Fortuner and Hyundai Verna. He has flats in various parts of country, including those in Bangalore, Delhi and Hardwar.

Text by Subhashish Mohanty