Money bags rule Karnataka elections

Politicians’ assets increase by 677 % in four years

By M. Gautham Machaiah
Power corrupts, while absolute power corrupts absolutely. The details of assets filed by candidates contesting the first phase of elections to 89 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka on May 10, amply prove this.

The 2004 elections resulted in a fractured mandate which was manipulated by all three major parties, the Congress, the Janata Dal (Secular) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to share the spoils of power. And predictably, the asset value of the candidates fielded by these parties has increased by a whopping 677 per cent in just four years.

With no party security a simple majority in the previous elections, the Congress and the JD(S) formed a coalition government. In about a year, the JD(S) pulled out of the alliance and formed the government with the BJP, which collapsed in 2007, leading to imposition of President’s rule.

The JD(S) which enjoyed power for the longest spell, has also cornered the highest booty. According to figures released by the Karnataka Election Watch (KEW), the assets of JD(S) candidates have increased by an unbelievable 1,292 per cent. At least, 25 of its candidates are worth over Rs 205 crore.

Congress candidates have posted an increase of 561 per cent in asset valuation, with 28 of its candidates being worth over Rs 147 crore.

The BJP has recorded an increase of 532 per cent, with 20 candidates being worth about 114 crore. Interestingly, a BJP candidate who was a minister for two years has reported a 2,604 per cent increase in his assets. His assets have gone up from Rs 37 lakh to over Rs 10 crore.

Among the super rich candidates in the fray are the sons of the self-proclaimed son of the soil, JD(S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda—H.D. Kumaraswamy and H.D. Revanna. While Kumaraswamy has assets worth Rs 52 crore, Revanna has valued himself at Rs 103 crore.

Humble farmers indeed!

(Picture sourced from: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/287306.stm)

COMMENTS

Very true. Money bags rule the elections in Karnataka. Our guys are worse than the erstwhile rulers of Bihar.

-Manna Mandanna