Meet Kerala’s richest MLA Reji Cheriyan: ₹218 cr net worth, luxury cars, houseboats and massive property empire

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has returned to power after a decade in Kerala, defeating the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). The UDF won 102 seats. The CPI(M)-led LDF was reduced to 35 seats,

Out of the 135 winning candidates analysed by election watchdog Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), 93 are crorepatis. This number was 75 in 2021.

As many as 40 out of 59 winning candidates from the Congress party, 19 out of 22 winning candidates from IUML, 14 out of 26 winning candidates from CPI(M), 7 candidates from Kerala Congress, 4 out of 8 winning candidates from CPI, have declared assets worth more than Rs. 1 crore, the ADR report said.

Meet the richest MLA in Kerala

Reji Cheriyan, the Kerala Congress MLA from the Kuttanad seat in Alappuzha district, is the richest MLA in the new House.

Cheriyan has declared a net worth of ₹218 crore. He is followed by Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the BJP MLA from Nemom, who has declared assets worth about ₹111 crore.

A former Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) leader, Cheriyan joined Kerala Congress in 2024. Cheriyan defeated NCP-SP sitting MLA Thomas K Thomas in 2026 Kerala assembly elections.

Cheriyan’s declared wealth is overwhelmingly driven by immovable assets, amounting to ₹210.05 crore, while movable assets account for ₹8.91 crore. A substantial portion of his portfolio comprises commercial buildings valued at ₹200 crore. He has also declared agricultural and non-agricultural land, as well as multiple residential and commercial properties.

Cheriyan’s declared movable assets include bank deposits exceeding ₹6 crore and jewellery worth nearly ₹40 lakh.

Cheriyan is based in the backwater region of Kuttanad, Alappuzha, and is known locally for his business interests in tourism and hospitality. His affidavit lists fleets of houseboats and speedboats — a major business sector in Kerala’s Alappuzha backwaters — along with luxury vehicles, including Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover cars.

Here is a breakdown of Cheriyan’s net worth as declared in his election affidavit:

Movable Assets

The total value of Reji Cheriyan’s movable assets is ₹11,45,26,084 (approximately ₹11.45 crore), which includes ₹3,00,00,000 in offshore assets.

Cash and Bank Deposits: ₹50,000 in cash

His bank deposits, including current accounts, fixed deposits, and bank guarantees, total ₹6,07,29,402.11

Vehicles and Boats: His fleet is valued at ₹2,02,77,095 and includes luxury cars like a Land Rover ( ₹37 lakh) and a Mercedes-Benz ( ₹15 lakh), as well as utility vehicles such as a JCB, a tractor, and a tanker.

Additionally, he owns several watercraft, including a houseboat ( ₹45 lakh), a motor boat, and multiple jet skis.

Jewellery: Cheriyan owns 8 grams of gold valued at ₹1,28,000

Immovable Assets

Cheriyan has declared immovable assets with a total current market value of ₹2,21,60,00,000 ( ₹221.6 crore), including ₹12,00,00,000 in offshore immovable property.

Commercial Buildings: These constitute the bulk of his wealth, with a market value of ₹200 crore.

This includes properties in Mullakkal, totalling over 100,000 sq. ft.

Non-Agricultural Land: Located in areas such as Mullakkal and Peermade, these plots are valued at ₹7 crore.

Residential Buildings: He owns residential properties in Pathiyoor with an approximate market value of ₹2 crore.

Agricultural Land: He holds 2.14 acres of agricultural land in Pallippad, valued at ₹60,00,000.

Cheriyan’s spouse owns assets valued at a total of ₹91,10,000

This includes movable assets valued at ₹46,10,000, including ₹25,000 in cash and 240 grams of gold valued at ₹38,40,000.

She also owns non-agricultural land with a market value of ₹45,00,000.