A financial declaration

Here are the figures:

2004

Cash: Rs 1.50 lakh
Bank deposits: Rs 9.78 crore
Other investments: Rs 30.94 lakh
Buildings: Rs 1.25 crore

2007

Cash: Rs 50.27 lakh
Bank deposits: Rs 12.88 crore
Other investments: Rs 50.87 lakh
Property: Rs 36.84 crore

If these figures were the summary of the financial statement of a company, then this company would be doing well for itself. Within 3 years it's asset value has increased 400%. But this is no company we're talking about. This is the declaration of Mayawati in the mentioned years, declared prior to the general and council elections respectively.

The latest declaration comes at a time when she has a CBI case of disproportionate assets against her, involving just half the declared figure(Rs. 28 crore). When seen in that light the audacity of the declaration seems more pronounced. However do not rush to assume that Mayawati is inviting trouble home. She is a seasoned politician(read corrupt, manipulative individual), she has played her cards well. The Congress at the centre needs her now, her support was crucial for the success of the UNPA candidate at the presidential elections. And to retain that support, the Congress will keep the CBI on a leash.

As of now the people have no option but to helplessly watch the swindling of public money and the temerity of our politicians to declare it.

India, the last 30 days

Settling down in the country after a long trip away from home has taken it's time and the blog thus has seen no new entries for a while. A lot has happened in the past one month, a quick round up follows:

• Most recently, the search for a presidential candidate seems to have ended with no political consensus between the NDA, UPA and the so-called Third Front. Not that a consensus is any indication of a positive democracy, but rather it only brings to the fore a pitiable statistic, the absolute poverty of strong political leadership in the country. As names were floated, Indians were reminded that there existed no single leader today who could capture the imagination of the country. Not one leader of stature whom the country could look up to.
• Caste related reservation woes continue to haunt the country. The Gurjar, Meena clashes with the state of Rajasthan not only paralysed the state for a few days, it was brought to the doorstep of Delhi. Unimaginative politicians promise more reservations, instead of addressing the root concerns of these communities, which is plainly put an assurance of a rise in their economic status.
  
• VS Achutanandan's demolition drive in Munnar, Kerala seems to hit rough waters with his decision to overlook religious institutions and political party offices that have encroached upon government land. The popular CM is now subject to public suspicion.
• Cyclone Gonu seems to have stolen some of the thunder from the monsoons. Weather forecasters wait with bated breath for any signs of an improvement. A drought will definitely affect the economy, which has posted a commendable 9.2% growth over last year.
• Mayawati has broken the 15 year spell of coalition politics in UP. The BSP rode to power as the largest party capable of forming a government. The rest of the country can now only pray that this time around she does not sell the Taj Mahal.