ULTA-PULTA
Business of politics
Jaspal Bhatti

POLITICS is a business. Many people invest in elections so that they can reap the benefits of the investment after they win the election. Politicians approach businessmen, asking them to invest in their political ventures as partners. It is a well-known fact that businessmen also benefit when their friends are in power.

Anil Ambani, of Reliance industries, has decided to make a debut in rajniti. There’s nothing wrong if instead of investing in his political friends, he decides to be a politician himself. He says, "My father Dhirubhai Ambani dreamt of joining politics and now I am fulfilling his dream." What he means is: "Mere baap ka sapna, beta MP ho apna." Milind Deora, Mumbai MP, says that people from all backgrounds should be allowed to join politics. Come to think of it, if a poor man can represent India, why not a rich man? Businessman Kapil Modi says, "The CEO’s stomach is already full and he will not enter politics to make money.

When corporates enter politics, it sends positive signals to the industry. Stocks may begin to soar. But is it really advisable that a man of Anil Ambani’s caliber who could do much more good as an industrialist than as a politician should seek a future in the corridors of power in Delhi. It’s like telling Sachin Tendulkar, "Sachin bhai sahib ab aap batting chodiye aur sports ministry ki meeting attend kareye."

My son who has just finished his Class XII asked me, "Dad I want to be a millionaire to serve the nation. What should be my first step? Should I join politics or start my own industry?"

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