Aakar on Mayawati

Mayawati is one of India's cleverest politicians, and will without doubt, whether in this election or after this, become prime minister. She is a sensational campaigner. Her opening line is: "Chamari hoon, kunwari hoon, tumhari hoon". I'm a cobbler's daughter; I'm unmarried; I'm yours. She does not pretend to have the Indian woman's coyness. The crowd goes wild.Having been chief minister of UP four times, but never completing a term, she has openly enriched herself through her position. With no source of income, she pays Rs26 crore in tax last year, showing earnings of Rs80 crore. She explains this as money that her supporters give her in cash because they wish her to be rich. In the last five years, politicians in India have stopped hiding their wealth. She is at the head of this pack; corrupt, certainly, but no hypocrite.