As the UPA government goes on an austerity overdrive, MiD DAY looks at a few leaders for whom modest living is a routine
As the UPA government goes on an austerity overdrive, MiD DAY looks at a few leaders for whom modest living is a routine
There are those who wear Jimmy Choos to work and there is Mamata Banerjee who doesn't mind flaunting rubber slippers to Parliament.
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre is on a severe austerity drive with ministers being advised to travel in economy class and not hold press conferences in five-star hotels. But what about those leaders who go beyond the stereotype of greedy politicos and have always lived a simple life?
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Defence Minister AK Antony |
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee |
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar |
The simple set
Surprisingly, there are many names that fit the bill, a few prominent ones being Defence Minister AK Antony, National Secretary of the Communist Party of India D Raja, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Apart from being nonchalant about her unstarched cotton saris and unassuming jholas, Banerjee still resides in a nondescript building in Kolkata. And despite being entitled to fly, she travels by train. The only luxury she allows herself is a berth in the air-conditioned coach. "Didi takes a flight only when she has to reach someplace urgently," said one of Mamata's close associates.
Another case in point is Meenakshi Natrajan, a first-time MP from Madhya Pradesh. Handpicked by Rahul Gandhi, Natrajan takes the autorickshaw to Parliament and lives in a rented accommodation in south Delhi. She is so unpretentious, even her landlord isn't aware she is an MP. Same is the case with D Raja, veteran CPI(M) leader, who believes in car pooling and travels to Parliament huddled in a car with other MPs.
Even three time chief minister of Kerala, AK Antony is known for his modest living.
"I have not bought a vehicle, not even a bicycle. My wife, a bank employee, owns four-and-a-half cents of land bought from her earnings," Antony had said. Reportedly, the leader doesn't use a mobile phone. When he was the chief minister, his wife used to travel by public transport and his children used shared auto rickshaws. His associates say Antony did not give up his two-room rented accommodation in Trivandrum even after taking charge as chief minister of Kerala. However, after his party members complained about the lack of space in his house, Antony shifted to the chief minister's residence.
Narendra Modi too is known for his austere lifestyle. As per an affidavit filed before the Election Commission in 2007, Modi's total assets were worth Rs 40 lakh. He said he did not own a car.
JP Aggrawal, the Congress Chief in Delhi, is another example. People close to him say the leader never dines at restaurants and when he took charge after Ram Babu Sharma, he brought in simple wooden furniture.
Tales of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's simple life have become folklore in the state capital Patna.
Till a few months ago, Kumar drove a Maruti-800 and has recently bought an Ambassador car. Party members say he has done away with all frills prevalent during his predecessor Lalu Yadav's rule. "Nitishji never travels with a large entourage. Chief Minister's cavalcades popular during Lalu's time, are no longer seen in Bihar.
Also, he never uses official vehicles when he is on a personal tour," said a close associate of Kumar, wishing anonymity.
The political take
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javdekar says austerity measures can't be imposed upon a person. "The UPA government's austerity measures are superficial. Simple living is not only about flying economy class. Our party and leaders are known for their austere lifestyle. Advaniji and Atal Bihariji travelled by train, small cars and even bicycles. Austerity should reflect in your asset accumulation and everyday lifestyle. It should be a routine," said Javdekar.
D Raja said, "The government should first define austerity. Non-plan expenditure should be reviewed. Members of Parliaments are governed by rules for traveling in their constituencies. The rules can be altered by the Lok Sabha speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman. Then, all MPs will be forced to follow it."
Top rightPrime Minister Manmohan Singh doesn't use a mobile phone. When he was the Finance Minister in the Narsimha Rao government, he used to walk from Parliament to the Annexe.
