Scams and scandals in India are no more politician-specific. Its meaning and scope have spread out so far and wide after the Mundhra episode of the late 1950s. Over the past decade, the very epicenter of corruption at high places has shifted from the Government offices to the cozy corporate chambers and five star suits. It is far beyond the standard Gandhi cap caricature. For over four decades, we were led to believe that Nehruvian controls were the sources of bribery. However, dismantling of the 'licence Raj' has in fact enhanced power of state. Business can flourish only with more state support.

In Japan, where capitalism is in a highly developed state, every prime minister bows out under the weight of corruption. In US they have legalised both corporate funding of politicians and their right to influence the government policies. This is what the hundreds of lobby firms in US do with billions worth budget. In India we are having both Japanese system of illegal bribing and the US trappings of the sophisticated lobby power. The problem in India is not confined to the politician alone. Every one along line who is in a position to dispense power and distribute favour is under constant pressures to bend rules. Those who fall for lures and those with careless habits would fall easy prey to the organized corruption networks.

These days it may not be fashionable to defend the much maligned politician. This is because for decades we have been caricaturing the politician as ignorant, self-centered, utterly corrupt and unscrupulous. We would praise them when they are on the ascent and then heartily acclaim their downfall. Bashing politician as a class - except in the case of a few holy cows, has been our best pastime. He is traditionally described as a parasite on the society and a necessary evil. We would never miss any opportunity to deride the politician as a crock. When things go wrong, we put the entire blame on the politicians even on things beyond their power.

We invariably fail to understand certain crucial facts about the modern politician. The first generation politicians, like today's Left variety, had come up with limited career expectations. Remember the days when leaders of political parties were to be persuaded to stand for elections. For that generation, elections and official positions were not an end by itself. In the case of the new generation politician, power and career are more important, not money. Contrary to public perception, money making is not their priority. That is too crude a depiction. It is not that they are not after money and comfort. They seek both. But they also know that money, comfort and fame can all go together if they can manage to climb the power ladder.

Do you think an Ashok Chavan will stake his entire future career for the sake of a couple of Mumbai flats worth a few crores even if they are the best ones? Or a Lalu Prasad Yadav with the kind of sway he had enjoyed on the Bihar voters in his hey day, might have found it necessary to indulge in the tehsil-level fooder scams? As we all know, persons like Lalu could have tapped much more money without leaving any trail. More over, unlike earlier, collection of money is not such a primary concern for new politician. That is another cultivated myth. In a system flush with liquid money, poll funds could be raised from local sources. Just walk along a market or dial a few numbers, politician gets a crore.

Serious politicians with higher ambitions will always take extreme care to retain their image as a clean, reasonable and responsible leader. For the ordinary politicians, they have to overcome two hurdles - first to get the party ticket and then winning the election. At both levels, image will be made an issue by the rivals. Aging politicians meticulously work to pass on their seat to their heirs as a post-retirement claim. Hence their compulsions to maintain an ever-clean image.

Why have than the leaders of the single-boss parties Like Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati and Jayalalithaa got themselves entangled with scandals? At least the first three had on occasions admitted their folly. Now every government at the Centre tries to use the disproportionate asset case against them. They now take extreme care not to get trapped again. The old Bofors stigma is so enduring that Sonia Gandhi has made it a point to put some one like A.K. Antony in defence.

Then there is the second but quite rare get-rich-quick category. Among them are Sukh Rams, Kodas and Rajas. Raja seems to realize that he will have to acquire enough assets during Karunanidhi's life time. After that things are uncertain for 'outsiders' like him. For Koda too, it was a one-time achievement. But theirs' are rare cases. True, the case of Yeddiyurappa, an experienced politician, is some thing that does not fit into either category.

Contrary to the public perception, money making is not the modern politician's priority. This is what this writer can vouch safe from a reporter's constant familiarity with politicians of different denominations. Politicians have been so confident that wealth is part of power and it comes with power. One need not seek it. Modern politician with high ambitions does not fit into the outdated archetypal image of wealth amassing crook. In case they get trapped in a scam it was either by carelessness or a let down by a trusted aide or kith and kin. In every case, they regret the blunder of spoiling the future for a minor gain. And in every such case, the initiative comes from the outside networks - local crooks in the old-style fodder fraud or highly sophisticated G2 scandal. And when it gets exposed it becomes 'Lalu scam' and 'Raja scam'.

Also, in our obsession with politicians, we overlook its wider dimensions. J.R.D. Tata and Rahul Bajaj had last week revealed how shady networks are facilitating government work for the corporates with huge payments. Recently, Medical Council chairman had to be sacked for large-scale frauds. A few weeks back an IIT director, a Padma Shree awardee, was caught in a fake degree racket. Judiciary is being caught in massive PF scams. A series of misconduct by senior judges of High Court and Supreme Court are under scanner. All this shows the degeneration of a system. In our obsession with politicians, we should not lose sight of this crucial fact. (IPA Service)