Political Diary

New Delhi, 19 September 2017

Our Millionaire Carpetbaggers

NETAGAN’S  ASSETS A LIE-ABILITY

By Poonam I Kaushish

Lies, damn lies and statistics. That too in sworn affidavits. Which trash Modi’s war against corruption. Who else but our mai-baaps who cock a snook at the safedi ke chamkaan swatchh image.  Any wonder then that our netagan’s greatest asset is his lie-ability.

How else should one react when a PIL by NGO Lok Prahari in the Supreme Court makes one do a double take and underscores for the umpteenth time that politics is a profitable business.  The petition zeroed on 26 Lok Sabha and 11 Rajya Sabha MPs alongside 257 MLAs whose income and assets grew over 500% to 1200% between two polls 2009-2014 as reflected in their election affidavits.

Consequently, it wants the election law amended for a candidate to disclose his and family’s sources of income at the time of filing nomination form. Presently, he discloses only his, spouse, children and dependents assets but not sources of their income through which they came to possess these.

Throwing down the gauntlet to the Modi Sarkar to practise what it preaches to the aam aadmi, the Court asked it to prove its anti-black-money credentials by listing the action against lawmakers. “Tell us what the growth rate of income of MLAs and MPs over the years is.... Don't make vague statements... when you say you believe in action, demonstrate it by telling us as to what action you have taken, that will show your bona fides… This affidavit is not worth the piece of paper it’s written on,” added the Bench.

Correct. Absurdly, the assets declaration format is neither standardized and nor does it reflect the current market value of our rulers wealth thereby resulting in discrepancies and defeating the exercise towards transparency. Asserted a tax official: “We know the properties, jewellry and other movables are invariably under-valued but can only send them notices.”

Notwithstanding, tax authorities claim of discrepancies in income disclosures by only seven Lok Sabha MPs and 98 MLAs, the Court dared the Centre to come clean. “You are not averse to electoral reforms but why have you not provided basic data and placed necessary details. Is this the Government’s attitude? What have you done till now? “It is not about cleaning of garbage only,” the judges queried. 

Undeniably, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The assets of 165 MPs re-elected to the 16th Lok Sabha rose on an average by a whopping 137%   from Rs 5.38 crores in 2009 to Rs 12.78 crores in 2014. That too when the average economic growth was slower at 4.7% and a slump in real estate prices! Worse, 113 of the 542 MPs described their profession as housewife, social worker and politics. Sic.

Scandalously, MPs' and MLAs assets grew over 500% to 1200% between 2009-14. Income of four MPs increased by 1200%, 22 others declared asset increase of over 500%  and eight Rajya Sabha legislators showed a 200% rise. An Assam MLA declared over 5,000% raise and his Kerala compatriot over 1,700% since the 2011 Assembly elections. Showcasing nothing costs a nation more than a cheap politician.

Questionably, how can unemployed jan sevaks amass huge wealth? How did they earn it? Is there any law or rule which asks them how they acquired it? Do they pay proper income taxes?  What about ‘black’ money? Reports suggest many leaders have Swiss bank accounts. But our tax authorities have still to unravel these and the Panama Papers while Pakistan has already sentenced its Prime Minister Sharif.

Clearly our Right Honourables declarations are only eyewash. While an average Congress MP is worth over Rs 16 crores, his BJP colleague has assets over Rs. 11 crores. Badal’s SAD legislator is worth around Rs 40 crores. The CPI(M) has the poorest candidates, with average assets of Rs. 79 lakhs. The  Trinamool Congress’ Uma Saren is the poorest MP with assets under Rs. 5 lakhs.

The highest increase is BJP's Bollywood star Shatrughan Sinha whose wealth grew by a whopping 778% from Rs 15 crores to Rs 131.74 crores in five years. Followed by BJD’s Pinaki Mishra whose assets increased from Rs 29.69 crores  to Rs 137.09 crores(362%).  

Assets of BJP MPs’ Varun Gandhi grew by Rs 30 crores, a whopping 625% and Karnataka’s PC Mohan from Rs 5.37 crores to Rs 47.58 crores (786%) BJP veteran Advani saw his assets rise by 114%.

The Congress is no better. Ex HRD Minister Kapil Sibal’s wealth saw a 258% increase in assets from Rs 32 crores to Rs 114 crores between 2009-2014.  Less said the better of former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar whose wealth of Rs 10.15 crores during the 2009 elections tripled to over Rs 38 crores (279%) in 2014.

The regional satraps are not far behind. Samajwadi SP supremo Mulayam’s  properties grew by 613% and bahu Dimple’s by 210%. Maratha strongman Sharad Pawar's ladli Supriya Sule is next with her assets more than doubling from Rs 51.53 crores to Rs 113.90 crores (121%). Less said the better of chara scam Lalu and family.

School-teacher-turned-Dalit messiah Mayawati brazenly explains her vast prime real estate holdings by asserting if a Thakur and Brahmin can be crorepatis why not a Dalit ke beti. Why not indeed! Mum’s the word when it comes to the dazzling diamonds she flaunts on her birthdays, ‘affectionately’ given by her garib bhakhts. Bluntly, it pays rich dividends to be a politician.

Given that corruption is such an old song that our netas all sing along in harmony Modi appears serious about his pledge of a sleaze Mukt Bharat and eliminating black money. But this might not be effective in breaking the vicious circle of unaccounted money polluting the vitality and health of our democracy.

More so, in an era wherein conduct of public affairs is for private advantage and amassing tremendous personal fortune through abuse of  political power is one of the perks of our polity’s trade as emphasized by the increase in wealth. 

Notably, the Courts will have to devise a mechanism that will make netas think ten times before they take ghoos, tell a lie or conceal anything about himself or his “dependants” a term which needs to be strictly defined.

The Government should acquire all ill-gotten, under-valued property. Realtors could be hired as consultants to verify a property’s market worth and the property thus acquired could be publicly auctioned. Mercifully, this would ensure more ‘honourable ‘and better returns.

Further, the income tax department should tally the affidavits with our leaders I-T returns. And, if need be hire auditors to ensure  the IT returns and affidavits match to the last digit. One could also consider a restriction on the number of terms a person can hold public office. Our leaders like Caesar’s wife need to be above suspicion and lead by example.

Clearly, Modi has to cleanse the rot in the political backyard and stop banking on our leaders’ self-proclaimed honesty and morality. Let the people squeeze the last drop of their “safedi ka chamatkar” to rid the polity of its increasing fifty and dirt. It remains to be seen if NaMo will walk his talk of cleaning India of sleaze not only refuse. Remember when truth becomes a casualty one ends up with only babble and bluster. What gives? ---- INFA

(Copyright, India News & Feature Alliance)