M D Nalapat
While
politicians in India often talk about the prevalence of the “black” (
ie illegal) economy in India, especially when they are in opposition and
not accessing the vast funds they used to get while in power, the
reality is that the root of “black money” in India is politics. While a
Mahatma Gandhi was able to persuade tens of millions of Indians to
sacrifice their jobs and their fortunes to follow him in his numerous
jabs against British rule,since the 1970s, those in politics expect to
get compensated for their efforts,and the higher the loot,the more the
rush to get on board a particular bandwagon. In urban areas,unless at
least Rs 500 is paid to an individual, she or he will refuse to attend a
political rally. A few months ago, two politicians in Maharashtra were
discussing before an open microphone the high cost of arranging crowds
to cheer Congress President Sonia Gandhi. Huge sums were mentioned in
this connection,it being a given that a Sonia rally has to have tens of
thousands of attendees, so that television cameras could pan the throng
and give testimony to the immense popularity of the current owner of the
Congress Party. That the crowds shown on television are usually
expressionless - if not openly bored and fidgety - seldom gets mentioned
in the media, which hungers for the access only favourable coverage
assures.
