Economics of Politics - The Crorepati Club
IN another ten days, curtains will come down on the world's largest democratic exercise. It seems each major candidate in a Lok Sabha constituency spends about Rs. 100 Crores. That is to form the next Lok Sabha, people must have spent over a lakh crores of rupees, making it the richest club in the world. Can these multi millionaires be called the representatives of the poor people of India who earn less than thirty rupees a day, which according to our wise Montek is good enough for a day?
How do you really spend 100 Crores in less than a month? It seems getting a party ticket costs about 20 Crores and starting from there every step is based on money. Mind boggling! Do we need such an expensive exclusive debating club, where hardly any debating takes place? Can't we think of a less expensive exploitation of the people - like a Presidential form of Government?