Monday, May 25, 2009

Let us restore dignity in politics: Dr. JP

“Now that the elections are over and a government is firmly in place, political parties should return to the path of civility in public discourse, rise above partisan considerations, and work collectively to fulfill people’s aspirations.”

Making this appeal at a media conference, Lok Satta Party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said that perhaps in the heat of the no-holds-barred and bitter electioneering, most political parties and politicians indulged in character assassination in mutual mud-slinging unbecoming of their stature. “Genuine differences among political parties are natural in a democracy. One should learn to disagree without being disagreeable. Politics is all about reconciling conflicting interests.”

The Lok Satta President, who attended the swearing in of Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy as Chief Minister, regretted that top leaders of the Opposition parties chose to keep away from the function. “Whether we like it or not, Dr. YSR is the Chief Minister for the entire State and not merely for Congress people who elected his party to power.” The Government too did not cover itself with glory by allowing over-enthusiastic ruling party people to turn the solemn swearing-in ceremony into a party affair. The ruling party must realize that the government belongs to all people, and must treat all sections equally without favour or malice. The healthy tradition of opposition leaders participating in all state functions and swearing-in ceremonies at the national level should be followed in the state.

Commenting on the election results, Dr. JP said that the Lok Satta had failed to convert the unparalleled support it enjoyed into votes. “We accept the verdict in all humility and refuse to look for alibis or blame others for our performance. We pledge ourselves to strengthen the party and engender confidence among the public that together we can transform society.”

He added, “The perception is widespread that the year 2014 belongs to the Lok Satta, not because it is powerful but because it is articulating people’s aspirations, and emerged as on authentic platform for citizen’s Political parties participation”.

Dr. JP said the 2009 elections were marked by unprecedented vote buying, liquor distribution on a large scale, intense caste polarization and the vicious propaganda that a vote to an ethical party like the Lok Satta would be a wasted vote.” Yet the people by and large displayed extraordinary maturity by not succumbing to caste Talibans, lucrative and irresistible freebies and money and liquor.

Listing out the challenges before the Government, Dr. JP said it had to focus on providing basic amenities to citizens on a war footing. They included supply of safe drinking water, drainage and uninterrupted power supply, road and public transport facilities to every habitation. The Government had to focus on providing livelihood skills and jobs to lakhs of educated and semi-educated young people. Instead of coming up with short-term palliatives, the Government had to work out a comprehensive medium and long-term strategy to eradicate poverty.

Pointing out that the innovative solutions were available to mitigate poverty, he instanced how with the introduction of solar LED lamps to light up homes, the Government could save over Rs.20,000 crore annually on kerosene subsidy all over the country. The country could save precious foreign exchange, save people from health hazards and prevent environmental pollution if LED lamps were distributed free of cost to every BPL family.

Dr. JP underlined the need for eliminating waste and corruption at a time the State is going through an economic slowdown. The conditions will worsen in the months to go as the Government’s expenditure commitments grossly exceed the State Government’s anticipated tax and non-tax receipts and devolution of resources from the Government of India. “High cost and low impact projects like the Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation scheme have to give way to low cost and high impact projects. People of Telangana can be served far better at a lower cost, by taking up alternative, low cost projects”.

On corruption, Dr. JP said the ruling party and its captains should set an example by pursuing a path of rectitude. “The Ganga cannot remain pure and sacred if the Gangotri itself is polluted, to quote Mr. A. B. Vajpayee.” He commented that Andhra Pradesh had some of the finest officers and employees if political leaders inspired them by example, the State could turn a new leaf in its history.”

Dr. JP wanted the Government to empower people without further delay through decentralization of powers, resources and personnel. In addition, the Government should make available a per capita grant of Rs.1000 to every panchayat and municipality/corporation since they alone are competent to identify and fulfill people’s compelling needs. “Citizens cannot be treated as mere vote banks. People’s participation between elections is the essence of democracy. Only when citizens are empowered and all governance institutions revolve around people can fulfill our potential”, Dr. JP asserted.

Referring to a proposal to collect a higher cess on liquor to partly fund ‘Arogyasri’, Dr. JP regretted that the Government was oblivious to the apparent contradiction. The Government was solely responsible for the impairment of livelihood and health of lakhs of people poor in that it encouraged unbridled liquor consumption to maximize State revenue. “As if to salve its conscience, it promotes ‘Agogyasri’ in the name of going to the rescue of the same poor people.” The Lok Satta would like the Government to abandon its policy of auctioning liquor shops to the highest bidder. A liquor dealer who obtains the liquor outlet license at astronomical cost will try to boost his sales by promoting belt shops. Instead, the Government itself should run a limited number of liquor shops as in Delhi with a view to curbing burgeoning liquor consumption. “Andhra Pradesh has the dubious distinction of being among the top liquor consuming States in the country.”

6 comments:

  1. Dr.JP,

    I'm a student studying in the US.Congrats on your victory and I'm thankful that kukatpally is lucky to have a representative and leader like you. Can you please write something about how NRI's and students like me studying abroad could play a better role in helping Lok Satta become a more efficient and effective force. I really feel ashamed for not being able to cast my vote or do anything useful except to convince people I know to vote. Is there anything better we could do other than trying to collect funds. Please do write about this.

    Thank you,
    Varun

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMay 26, 2009

    Dear Jayaprakash Ji,

    This is my open feedback on Loksatta, please take it positive…

    Did you ever put one question yourself, why Loksatta can not reach the people in rural?

    I was big fan of you, I still follow all your articles, programs in print and electronic media and also your blog here.

    After years of following I realized my self that I should not be in LokSatta any more.

    Why because...
    1. All your analysis and plans are "Ideal" which we can not imagine at least.
    2. You are not aware of the common man necessities, if so your approach will not be like this.
    3. As other politicians, it’s highly difficult to reach you(Its my real time experience).
    4. Your party so called ideal political party "Loksatta" can not win at least one seat other than you in coming 50 years.
    5. Your activities are very far away from what you say in media.
    6. You are least bothered about “what a common men needs”. will explain later part of this comment.
    7. You always comment that media did not covered “Loksatta activities” well, you never question yourself “why?”.



    Will be continued....................

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 26, 2009

    Continuation from the above comment .......

    My clarifications on the above

    1. All your analysis and plans are "Ideal" which we can not imagine at least.

    Since from the beginning I learned about you, implications of your expressions in all kind of media is that “Correction in political system starts building ideal society”. Unfortunately this is wrong. All the culprit leaders are the most needed for the people.

    Let me define “Leader” first.
    Leader is the one who leads towards future, who care in troubles, who support in the peoples activities.

    You always say that you will give the “Best future than any other leader” lets keep this aside. Coming to the second part “For sure you will not care for us in troubles”. Why because all the people are not sincere as you. If one brings one police case to your notice, I am sure you will speak about “Law and its duties” you will not support the person voted for you.

    But our leaders will not see what is good and what is bad, blindly they support us, they will fight for us, they will stand behind us.

    We need that kind of support from our leaders. You will only give a statement in media like “the one you gave in support of Margadarsi” and escape. But other parties shall not escape like you. As TDP supported Ramoji all the way and Congress supported Vundavalli all the way. If such troubles come to us, you will be limited to a statement “Law and Order will precede its duty”.

    2. You are not aware of the common man necessities, if so your approach will not be like this.


    You always speak about alcohol consumption. In rural 60%(of course in urban too) of the people are alcohol consumers. All the political parties respect the people’s habit. But you will not even think to at least imagine to respect a person with alcoholic habit.

    Our leader should respect us, our habits, our culture and our necessities. You can never do that.

    3. As other politicians, it’s highly difficult to reach you.


    As the other politicians, it’s very difficult to reach you. You will not respond to mails, you will not give your appointment (I tried). We have no local leader in Loksatta as strong as our Local MLA to solve our local and personal problems.

    4. Your party so called ideal political party "Loksatta" can not win at least one seat other than you in coming 50 years.

    This is universal truth, if you have any doubt on this please reply this comment, I will post 100 reasons for this. Or if you are not agreeing on this please post at least one seat or one person that you can win in the forth coming assembly or Loksabha elections other than you. (Do not consider local body elections)

    5 Your activities are very far away from what you say in media.

    You will say that Loksatta is only the party care about the public issues. But you know that Loksatta is totally failed in highlighting public issues thru its activities. Its just an example to say the difference btw what you say and what you do.

    6. You are least bothered about “what a common man needs”.

    When we have trouble in stomach, Doctor will give pain killer first for immediate relief and plan for surgery later. But Loksatta’s manifesto is planning only the surgery kind of treatment and forgetting about immediate relief.
    7. You always comment that media did not covered “Loksatta activities” well, you never question yourself “why?”.

    Why media should cover Loksatta? Loksatta has no meaning, Has no public interest, is not popular like “Chiranjeevi”, has no public following. In my view media has given more coverage than its eligible. How much coverage should media give for a party which won in only one seat and lost deposits every where else?

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 26, 2009

    One Question at last .....................

    Can Loksatta get common symbol (I guess the party may not exist any more in the recognition of ECI) for next assembly elections?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear JP,
    Proceed with your plans,
    future is brighter,though You are alone now,
    entire Ap will be with you in coming days.
    www.24hrsglober.blospot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 29, 2009

    Though I am a great admirer of JP, I will have to agree on some points of the Anonymous user above.

    Give me ONE name other than JP in the LSP.
    THERE IS NO REACH. Abosolutely, no reach.
    You cant win over the entire state with one name. (We have already seen the debalce of Chirajeevi. No comparison, but he too sold the party on one NAME.)

    Media :: Its a business mate. Its all pure business.
    News channels are p0rn .. and more.
    How do you expect them to cover LSP when there is no one to watch. No one to endorse.
    Dont blame them.

    Someone has to play the devils advocate. Lets put the foot on ground.

    Politics like business too, needs a lot of branding(awarness).

    May god bless LSP. Good luck to you.

    Every person, movie, business etc needs an USP.

    I am sure there are thousands of IIT/IIM kinda fans of yours who will be eager to give some great advice.
    And then there is YOU, who can transform and adapt such ideas into initiatives.

    GAIN POPULARITY MATE.... YOU GOT TO "CONNECT"

    ReplyDelete