All we need to do is order all MPs and ministers to submit themselves to the sort of income tax inquisition that is unleashed brutally on ordinary Indians. Let them explain where they got their Lexuses and Land Cruisers, their Rolex watches and the Cartier pens. Even that most socialist of socialist leaders, Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav, was photographed recently wearing a gold Rolex watch. That is pretty good going for a small-time teacher from Etawah.

Speaking of unaccounted for wealth, on my way to Delhi airport not long ago I happened to drive with a real-estate agent who identified for me the owners of the magnificent estates we drove by. They belonged to ministers, ex-ministers, sons of ex-prime ministers and even some humble MPs. While we are on the subject of offices of profit, let us get down to the real ones shall we?

write to tavleen.singh@expressindia.com