If the Lok Satta Party sticks to its values without any compromise, the year 2014 definitely belongs to it, asserted party President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today. “And the political calendar too favors the fledgling party”.
Addressing party people who contested the 2009 elections, Dr. JP said the Lok Satta is here to stay and determined to fight for transformation in people’s lives, however arduous struggle is going to be. “People are ready for real change and it will happen in 2014 (when the Assembly elections are due again) going by the winds of change blowing across the State.
Party spokesmen V. Laxman Balaji and Mohd. Ishaq Khan gave this information to the media today.
Although vast numbers of people admired the party in the 2009 elections, they stopped short of endorsing it. “The months and years to come are a testing time for us. People will keenly watch whether the Lok Satta sticks to its values or compromises on them to garner a few seats in elections, like other parties.”
He recalled that a survey conducted by a TV channel immediately after the 2009 elections were out showed that 96 percent of the respondents viewed the Lok Satta Party as an alternative to both the Congress and the TDP, mirroring the high hopes the people had of the Lok Satta.
Dr. JP pointed out that the political calendar too favored the Lok Satta in that elections scheduled for various local bodies would provide a golden opportunity to mobilize public support. After elections to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, elections to municipal councils will take place in 135 towns accounting for almost 150 Assembly constituencies. Thereafter, elections to panchayati raj bodies would take place. If the party made good use of the local body elections, facing the 2014 elections would be an easy task, said Dr. JP.
Dr. JP reiterated that none need to make great sacrifices to build up the party. It was enough if they devoted a little part of their time, increased party membership and invited and encouraged competent people to take up leadership. He wished politicians in Andhra Pradesh had emulated Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and leader of the Opposition L. K. Advani who apologized to each other for election-eve bitter exchanges and agreed to let bygones be bygones.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
2014 belongs to the Lok Satta, Asserts Dr. JP
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Niche parties taste defeat
ReplyDeletehttp://www.livemint.com/2009/05/16225948/Niche-parties-taste-defeat.html
Jayaprakash Narayan won an assembly seat but most other new political Indians didn’t really make an impact
Sanjukta Sharma
The Mumbai office of the Professionals Party of India (PPI) downed shutters early on counting day. By Saturday noon, it was locked, with no party workers to mark the party’s first rite of passage—of being tested by the people.
Some of them headed to Elphinstone College, where counting was in progress. Mona Kartik Shah, a physician fielded by the party as its Lok Sabha candidate from Mumbai South, dropped by the counting station and returned to her residence. Later, as the figures began to come in, Dr Shah said: “When I campaigned, the responses from people were great. But translating that enthusiasm into votes is another matter. In terms of numbers, we could have done much better.”
http://www.livemint.com/2009/05/16225948/Niche-parties-taste-defeat.html
Dear JP.
ReplyDeleteCould you please elaborate more on your vision for 2014 elections? Here are a few thoughts and was wondering if Lok Satta is thinking and executing on similar lines.
Visionaries, noble minded and perceptive leaders:
There is no doubt in my mind that the only way forward is political cleansing. Visionaries and leaders who understand the issues plaguing the Indian society and are capable of providing short term and long term solutions have to stand up and contest the elections. Win or lose, these candidates must be willing sacrifice and dedicate their entire lives for this cause.
True democracy. Many leaders, many personalities:
Simply put we need many more JPs. One JP might get Lok Satta political power for one term or maybe two terms. But one JP is just not enough for a sustained and long term political overhaul. One leader just cannot oversee the development of every small hamlet in the country or a state. Andhra Pradesh, a state that is larger and more populated than an entire country like the United Kingdom cannot afford just one leader! It is an insult to the civilization if more people cannot stand up and carry the vision forward.
One important facet of the political renaissance is to eliminate dynasties and legacies! It is a pity that congress still falls back on the power of Gandhi family and a few individuals to win elections! Look how far theTelugu Desam party is from realizing the some of the goals of NTR. Lok Satta cannot afford to succumb to the same temptation.
The point that I am trying to make is that today’s political environment is spewing out candidates (I hate to call them leaders) who are rich, greedy, blindly ambitious, ignorant and short-sighted. They have no agenda, no proclivity to judge or understand the demands of a constituency and even if someone were to provide them with the problem description these so called leaders do not even have the ability to look for a solution (forget coming up with a solution). They are just power-mongers.
The party needs to field individuals who not only understand the vision of JP but also have the knowledge and ability to execute and deliver on agendas that are suited to develop the constituencies that these candidates represent. Every constituency has to be represented by leaders who enter the legislative assembly on his/her own strength of character, merits and vision for that constituency. Lok Satta has to break free of JP as the sole symbol and stand for something even larger – the ideals – in my words Renaissance in every sphere of life. It is a pity that the common man in India cannot name the ideal/vision/goal of any political party! He votes not for the party but looks for thug who hurts him the least.
Sustainability of the Party, Leaders and Ideals:
I strongly believe that a complete Renaissance can be achieved only through a sustained onslaught against societal ignorance spanning a few generations by very many leaders. Otherwise, the entire political exercise is akin to the efforts of NGOs which unmistakably have noble intentions but unfortunately do not make a real long term sustainable impact. I hate to make a statement like this, but sadly it is true. The root cause of the problem – poor governance – has to be resolved. NGOs are just placebos.
The key factor here is the longevity of ideals. Financial and societal pressures take a toll on both the party and its leaders. Even if Lok Satta does find candidates with proper credentials, it is very important for Lok Satta to nurture and develop leaders who emerge from various wakes of life and provide them the support to survive both victories and failures. Lok Satta needs to nurture paragons who show that an economist, an engineer, a journalist or a farmer is what India needs as a leader and a not rich thug or a sleazy movie star. We want to leaders who can clean the system up and create a political milieu that welcomes the common man with open arms. What is your vision for this? Does Lok Satta already have a plan? Can you please share it with us?