Making Money: Indian Politician Urges Candidates To Focus On More Than Material Wealth

Making money is something Donald Trump is really, really good at. But according to one Indian politician, making money is the last thing Trump and other politicians around the world should worry about.

Prior to elections in Uttar Pradesh in India, Chairman of the Samajwadi Party Mulayam Singh Yadav told leaders in his party to focus on serving constituents instead of making money, according to NDTV.

“Those in politics, instead of serving the people, are doing business. It has crossed limits. Has anyone seen any member of my family taking contracts, if so tell me,” Mr Yadav said.

He was addressing a public meeting after inaugurating the first 660 MW unit of 1980 MW supercritical thermal power plant commissioned by Lalitpur Power Generation Co Ltd (LPGCL).

“Ours is a party of poor, principles and not those who only concentrate on earning money,” he said.

The SP chief said, “There are certain very serious issues, which I am telling and I want to warn. Illegal mining is continuing unabated and I have got all the information. The DMs will be held responsible if illegal mining takes place. Even leaders involved in it will be sent to jail.”

According to The Economic Times, the Yadav said he wants the Samajwadi Party to not be “party which indulges in corruption or give and take.”

It is quite the contrast from American politicians like Trump, who brag about the immense wealth they have accumulated during their business careers, or brag about the large number of projects they as a politician may have brought to their respective districts or states.

But for someone who brags about making money, Trump has said his multi-billion dollar fortune is what will keep him from being corrupted. As the Inquisitr reported in August, Trump has repeatedly blasted his Republican presidential rivals not for making money, but for seeking donations from groups like the Koch Brothers.

Yadav’s stance against politicians making money, and instead working for the people, sounds good. But will it resonate with his Indian constituents? And would making such a statement work in American politics? Would an American politician ever forsake the ability to make money for the good of his or her constituents? Tell us what you think in the comments section.

[Image via Mark Wilson, Getty Images]