Karnataka's bachelor MLA is worth Rs 910 cr

Congress MLA Priya Krishna, who is seeking re-election from Bangalore, has an enviable claim to fame. The 29-year-old is the richest candidate in the state with his assets valued at a whopping Rs 910 crore, and he is still a bachelor. Krishna is the son of senior Congress leader M Krishnappa, who has built a fortune through real estate in the past four decades. The father and son duo declared their assets while filing the nomination papers for upcoming Assembly polls.

The young MLA came to the limelight during the last Assembly elections when he defeated sitting BJP minister V Somanna by a clear margin for Govindrajnagar constituency. The value of his assets, which comprise land banks around Bangalore, has gone up by Rs 200 crore in the past five years. The young politician has also declared a liability of Rs 700 crore which apparently are the loans that he raised to purchase the land. Priya Krishna, who is MA in political science, seeks re-election from the same constituency on a Congress ticket.

However, despite possessing a fleet of cars and assets worth crores of rupees, Krishna is not known for flaunting his wealth or enjoying luxury. "We never monetised the assets, as they go towards creation of infrastructure. I lead a simple life like my father. It is just that the assets look gigantic on paper," the MLA said.

With lucky number 9279, the leader possesses a fleet of vehicles, which includes an Audi, A Mercedes E220 and an E270, a Mitsubishi Montero -- all with the same number. In addition to this fleet, he also has 15 other SUVs and MUVs. 'I love cars; this is a passion for me," he says.

However, there is an interesting thing about Priya Krishna that despite having a love for vehicles, he cannot drive. The love for the number 9279 is because the first car which his family owned was a Premier 118 which had this registration number. It is believed to have brought luck to the family.Politics is not new for the young leader. He was thrown into the fray when he was 25 years and he won in 2008. His father Krishnappa, also called Layout Krishnappa, is a sitting MLA from the Vijaynagar constituency.

The affidavit of Krishna suggests that Rs 815 crore are moveable assets out of the Rs 910 crore. He says that most of his assets are gifted. Confident of bagging the seat once again, Priya Krishna says that he aims for enlightening the youth about their social responsibilities. "I am available to the people of my constituency at all times and I am not averse to mingling with the public," he adds.