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Look at 'em go: Indian politicians adjust to austerity
Political leaders are learning how to pinch pennies under public scrutiny, and it's the best thing on television
Politicians are scrambling to humble themselves before the party boss (wo)man Sonia Gandhi.The UPA government is working on its new austere image, but a handful of ministers aren’t exactly jumping on the bandwagon. Finally, party chief Sonia Gandhi, arguably the most powerful woman in the country, had to lift up her sari yesterday and lead the way into coach class.
The media had a field day.
Today her son, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, boarded a train to Ludhiana in the chair car of Shatabdi Express. But the drama all started a week ago when the Indian Express reported that “for all the Congress talk of austerity and sacrifice in the time of drought,” External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and his junior Shashi Tharoor have been staying at five-star hotels on their own steam for over three months now. Boss and deputy then shifted after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee "requested" they move to their respective state guest houses, many of which don't have air conditioning or gyms.
Nevertheless, politicians are scrambling to humble themselves before the party boss (wo)man.
The Guardian has the larger picture, here.
