New Delhi: Noting that politicians at present are enjoying clout far beyond their merit, an introspective BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) president L K Advani yesterday (Nov 30, 2004) lamented that politics has been reduced from a mission to commerce.

"I keep telling colleagues in my party that the reason for the anger and indifference of people towards politicians is the decline in character and values in politics," Advani said in New Delhi.

"Politicians in India are now acquiring a clout far beyond their merit. Prior to 1947, people joined politics to give, made sacrifices and led an austere life. Politics was a mission. But after that it did not even remain a profession. Gradually it became commerce, a business," he said.

The BJP leader, who was speaking after unveiling the book 'Dare to Publish' written by veteran publisher Dina N Malhotra of the Hind Pocket Books, also revisited the time of the Emergency, noting that, "It was the most difficult time for the publishing industry, for books and for magazines."

"Not even under British rule did it remain a secret as to where Gandhiji was kept after his arrest. But when Jayprakash Narain was arrested during the Emergency, when I and Vajpayeeji were arrested in Bangalore, no newspaper published any news about where we were jailed," Advani recalled.

He reminisced that some invitations and letters came to him, which carried the address 'C/o Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, New Delhi'.

"It was something unbelievable, something you just can't imagine," he said of the Emergency.