Politics and Simplicity

Simplicity among Politicians 

Simplicity is the state or quality of being simple. It can also be used to imply beauty, purity or clarity. In the context of human lifestyle, it can refer to a simple living style. Last few days have trended the discussion of simple lifestyle among politicians, all thanks to the emergence of AAP in Delhi. AAP Chief Minister A. Kejriwal talked of simple living like a common man. He refused to take security and declined flat having ten rooms. He travels by a car donated by volunteer and promised not to take a bungalow. He has been praised by all but he is not the only Chief Minister who is setting example of simple living. Chief Minister of Tripura, Manik Sarkar still lives in two-room house. He donates all his salary to the party and gets Rs 5000 per month from his party. His wife travels in a rickshaw and goes to market freely without any security. His cash assets are only One thousand and eighty rupees only. West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamta Banerjee is symbolic of Hawaii chappal and a cotton sari. She travelled by Maruti 800 car to announce Rail Budget in Parliament. She also lives in two room house. Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh, Raman Singh refused to take VVIP facilities and it is very easy to meet him. Chief Minister of Goa, Parikar lives simply and has taken lifts in past to reach Secretariat. 

Mahatma Gandhi was once asked to describe an ideal life style and he responded by saying “Simple living and High thinking.” Narendra Modi, PM candidate of BJP believes in this statement. Narendra Modi’s income for year 2011-12 was one lakh fifty thousand and six hundred thirty rupees only which comes to monthly income of Rupees twelve thousand and five hundred fifty three only. He has only four rings which he mentioned in 2012. He has only one house in Gandhinagar.  The above mentioned example proves that Kejriwal is not the only Chief Minister who lives simple or dresses simple. As somebody said simplicity is the ultimate sophistication and does not require publicity.  It speaks for itself. Simplicity can be a virtue of an honest man but person should have patience and be worthy of his words to prove it.