Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Diamonds fail to take shine off India's political champion of the poor as earnings reach £7.7m

· Party members fill the coffers of 'Dalit Queen'
· Anti-corruption raid found 54 bank accounts

Randeep Ramesh in Delhi
Wednesday February 6, 2008


India's so-called Dalit Queen, a former schoolteacher who has become the country's most powerful untouchable politician championing the poorest people, was yesterday revealed to be on track to earn 600m rupees (£7.7m) this year.

Income tax records show that Mayawati Kumari, the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, has amassed the fortune through political contributions from supporters in her Bahujan Samaj (Majority People's) Party. She has demanded gifts from loyal followers and elected politicians have been asked to donate a minimum of 300,000 rupees (£3,900) a year.

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