New Delhi: Aatral Ashok Kumar, the AIADMK candidate for the Erode Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu, has emerged as the wealthiest candidate for the upcoming April 19 general elections in the state.
According to the affidavit filed before the Election Commission, Kumar's net assets are valued at a staggering Rs 583.48 crore.
His wife, Karunambika, who is the daughter of BJP MLA Dr. C Saraswathi from Modakkurichi in Erode district, possesses assets worth Rs 69.98 crore. With Rs 10 lakh in cash on hand, Kumar, aged 53 and a resident of Erode, leads the list of affluent contenders, while his wife holds Rs 5 lakh, reported news agency PTI.
In the affidavit, Aatral Ashok Kumar disclosed that both he and his wife, Karunambika, possess substantial holdings of gold, with each owning 10.1 kg and 10.6 kg respectively. Kumar declared movable assets totaling Rs 526.53 crore, while the value of his immovable assets, acquired and inherited, stands at Rs 56.95 crore. Similarly, Karunambika's movable assets amount to Rs 47.38 crore, alongside immovable properties valued at Rs 22.60 crore. Notably, both individuals have no liabilities.
Ashok Kumar Is The founder Of The TIPS
Ashok Kumar is the founding member and director of The Indian Public School (TIPS) and Amex Alloys Private Limited. Additionally, he has spearheaded the establishment of educational institutions such as TIPS School of Architecture, TIPS School of Management, TIPS College of Arts and Science, and the TIPS Global Institute.
Following his graduation in electrical engineering from Coimbatore, Kumar pursued further studies, earning a Master’s degree from the University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA, and later obtaining an MBA from the University of Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Prior to his ventures in education, he gained experience working with multinational corporations like Microsoft and Intel, bringing a wealth of expertise to his endeavors upon returning to India.