Tuesday, April 30, 2013
CBI and ACBs must be liberated from political control: Dr.JP
CBI's admission in the Supreme Court that it had shared its report on coal mine allocations with the Government of India is a grim reminder of the political control over investigative processes, commented Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan in a media statement here today.
"Gong by the CBI's admission, it is reasonable to assume that the Government actually sought to influence the report and thereby the investigative process.
"Political interference in crime investigation undermines the independence and impartiality of the investigative agency and erodes public confidence in the system.
"If that is the plight of the CBI whose Director is appointed by the Vigilance Commission, which itself is appointed by a bipartisan high power body comprising among others the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition, we can imagine the state of ordinary crime investigation in States."
Dr. JP said that despite repeated Supreme Court directives and many expert body recommendations for independent crime investigation, it continues to be under political control. ACBs in States are under total political control ranging from appointment of director and investigating officers to grant of permission for investigation and prosecution.
Dr. JP appealed to all political parties to bury their differences and use the episode to liberate crime investigation from political control. The CBI at the national level and ACBs and CBCID at the State level should be enabled to function fairly, impartially and independently. The Second Administrative Reforms Commission had provided an effective and practical road map for reforms.
Dr. JP said that he is confident that the Supreme Court will enforce independence of the premier investigative agencies at the national and state levels.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Lok Satta getting ready for local body elections
The Lok Satta Party's State Working Committee at its first meeting here today decided to organize training camps for its leaders at the grass roots level in a bid to prepare them for local body elections scheduled from June 2013.
Giving this information in a media statement, State Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao and General Secretary Ravi Maruth said a State-level training program for District Working Committee members will be organized in Hyderabad and a regional-level program for District Council members at two places in Coastal Andhra and at one place each in Rayalaseema and Telangana. The training programs are scheduled for May 2013.
District level leaders will be briefed on party policies and programs and the strategy to be adopted in local body elections.
The Working Committee decided to hold organizational elections in West Godavari and NRI districts as also in some constituencies which had been deferred for various reasons, in May 2013. To facilitate pending constituency-level elections, a supplementary voters' list will be published.
The President and the General Secretary told the Working Committee that the conduct of internal elections has galvanized the party. The two leaders, who undertook a whirlwind visit to Coastal Andhra districts from April 22 to 25, said that a large number of people took up party membership in the wake of the organizational elections.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Dr.JP's Padayatra Campaign for Candidates in Bengaluru
Campaigning on behalf of party candidates in the elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Lok Satta Party’s national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will undertake a 20-km walk around South Bengaluru on Saturday, April 27.
He will be covering HSR Layout, Mangammanapalya, BTM Layout, Bommanhalli, Bannerghatta Road, JP Nagar and Arekere and take part in a public meeting at Hebbal.
Mr. Srinivas Alavilli of the party’s central campaign team says that Lok Satta candidates are receiving tremendous public response. A large number of youth and women are campaigning for the candidates on their own.
"Whistle hoodi, munde nadi' (Blow the whistle and forge ahead) has become a popular slogan. (The Lok Satta candidates have been allotted the whistle symbol).
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Dr. JP describes J. S. Verma as nation’s conscience keeper
Lok Satta Party national President has described Justice J. S. Verma as a true conscience keeper of the nation. “We lost a titan. All his life he upheld liberalism, constitutionalism, humanism & integrity,” said Dr. JP in a media statement today.
Dr. JP said Justice Verma was a great jurist, humanist, and champion of probity in public life and judicial and police reform. He brought passion, clarity, resolve, pragmatism, balance, depth and integrity to every public issue he touched. Based on evidence, he was willing to change his views as in respect of appointments to higher judiciary.
Dr. JP said he was privileged to have known Justice Verma very closely for a decade. He co-chaired Lok Satta’s Round Table on Lokpal in Delhi in April 2011. At LokSatta’s request, Justice Verma worked with Justices M. N. Venkatachaliah and V. R. Krishna Iyer and unanimously recommended key judicial reforms.
After year-long deliberations, the three eminent jurists proposed constitution of a National Judicial Commission (NJC) for appointing judges and Indian Judicial Service (IJS) for subordinate judiciary.
Justice Verma recommended creation of independent Lokpal/Lokayukta and CBI/ACB and enactment of a strong law to confiscate properties of the corrupt.
Dr. JP said that carrying out reforms to improve public life in India will be the truly fitting tribute to the memory of late Justice Verma.
Dr. JP conveyed his deepest condolences to Justice Verma’s family members, who stood solidly with him all his life at enormous personal cost and privation. “When great human beings work tirelessly for society, often the family pays a heavy price. My salute to all the family members of Justice Verma.”
Monday, April 22, 2013
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Katari Visiting Coastal AP
State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao and General Secretary Ravi Maruth will be making a whirlwind visit to Coastal Andhra district towns from April 22 to 25 to gear up the party for local body elections. Mr. Y. D. Ramarao, the party’s Vice President for Coastal Andhra, will be accompanying them.
The leaders will be visiting Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam on April 22, Kakinada and Bhimavaram on April 23, Vijayawada and Guntur on April 24 and Ongole and Nellore on April 25.
The State leaders, in consultation with local party units, will identify constituencies from which it can field candidates in the elections scheduled to be held in a couple of months.
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Lok Satta to focus on slum dwellers' drinking water woes: Katari
State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao today called upon party leaders and workers in Greater Hyderabad to focus on the drinking water crisis in most of the 3000 odd slums.
Addressing the newly elected office-bearers of constituency-level party units in the city, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said they should try to mitigate people's woes by making representations to officials. They should be prepared to launch an agitation if officials fail to respond, he counseled.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao also wanted Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation officials to de-silt storm-water drains before the onset of the monsoon. The Twin Cities are prone to flooding every year because the drains remain in a state of disrepair.
The GHMC should encourage construction of percolation pits in all multi-storied buildings with a view to improving the groundwater table.
The Lok Satta President pointed out that a mafia is running unauthorized parking lots all over the city and fleecing vehicle owners. Party workers would identify unauthorized parking lots and work to liberate vehicle owners from exploitation.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao and General Secretary Ravi Maruth called upon party leaders to strengthen the party by enrolling members. Taining camps would be conducted for party workers.
Greater Hyderabad unit President Dosapati Ramu said that the party would take up issues plaguing people in different divisions and try to resolve them.
The meeting condemned the brutal rape of a five-year-old girl in Delhi and underlined the need for police reforms to prevent such incidents.
Lok Satta Times April 1st-30th, 2013
http://www.loksatta.org/cms/documents/lstimes/lstimes-2013-04-01-30.pdf
Friday, April 19, 2013
Dr. JP to campaign in Bengaluru
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan will be campaigning on behalf of party candidates in Bengaluru on April 20 and 21.
The Lok Satta has fielded 28 candidates, most of them professionals, in the elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly scheduled to be held on May 5.
Dr. JP will be campaigning in Malleswaram and Bommanahalli constituencies on April 20 and in Basavangudi and Hebbal constituencies on April 21.
He will be administering oath to party candidates and addressing party workers and public meetings during his Bengaluru visit.
The following is the list of Lok Satta Party candidates contesting in constituencies named against them:
Ashwin Mahesh, 43, Astronomer, urban expert, journalist - Bommanahalli
Shanthala Damle, 40, Software professional - Basavanagudi
Yogaiah VC, 59, Ex-Serviceman (IAF), HR Consultant - Byatarayanapura
Sumitra Iyengar, 57, Entrepreneur - Padmanabha Nagar
Naveena C K, 30, Runs small IT company in Mysore - Krishnaraja
Shankaralinge Gowda, 68, Retired school teacher, farmer - Chikkamagaluru
Dr.Meenakshi Bharath, 55, Gynecologist and fertility expert - Malleswaram
Ravi Krishnareddy, 39, Software professional, writer, social activist - BTM Layout
Sridhar Pabbisetty, 35, COO, Center for Public Policy, IIM-B - Hebbal
Ms.Rupa Rani, 45, Pharmacist - Rajajinagar
Rajshree Muralidhar, 39, Marketing Manager - Mahalaxmi Layout
Mahadevappa Gowda, 30, Lecturer - Sira
Vasant Dalawai, 38, Farmer, Runs NGO - Athani
Guruswamy Nayak, 26, Farmer - Raichur Rural
S. Venkatesh Murthy (Thomas Mathew), 28, Preacher - Bhadravati
Deepak Malgar, 27, Lecturer - Basavakalyan
Nagaraj Shankararao Tigadi, 51, Consulting Civil Engineer - Hubli-Dharwad West
Murali CG, 37, Journalist - Kolar
Krishnappa TR, 62, Agriculturist, social activist - Sagar
Sampatkumar Muttalli, 40, Advocate - Hirekeruru
Ramanna RHJ, 60, Judicial Services - Raichur City
Siddalinga Chandranna Keroor, 49, Farmer, social activist - Jevargi
Dr. Abdul Kareem, 30, Consultant Orthodontist - Bidar South
Nagesh Vilas Sakhare, 29, Software professional - Belagavi North
Rohith Patel, 28, Radio Jockey - Jayanagar
Madhu BM, 30, Editor in television media - Kadur
Teerthappa Ballavara, 38, Farmers’ leader - Tarikere
N. Kalingappa, 58, Farmer and social activist - Siraguppa
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Dr. JP welcomes allotment of iron ore mines to VSP, Demands land acquisition for Ramayapatnam port
Although belated, the Andhra Pradesh Government decision to allocate 5342 hectares of iron ore mines in Bayyaram and other places to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) is welcome, said Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan here today.
In a media statement, Dr. JP wanted the State Government to acquire land in and around Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district for the major port-cum-shipyard proposed by the Union Government.
Dr. JP recalled that when he met the VSP management in the wake of an industrial accident, it sought allocation of iron ore mines for captive mining with a view to improving production and profitability and creating more jobs. Although long overdue, the Government decision to allocate iron ore mines to VSP is most welcome.
Dr. JP said that the State Government should acquire land in and around Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district for the port-cum-shipyard proposed by the Union Government in the context of the Indian Navy taking over Hindustan Shipyard at Visakhapatnam. It has not materialized so far because the State Government had earmarked rights over 400 km of coastline to private port companies. The Lok Satta Party had exposed the irregularities in agreements with private port companies in the Assembly on March 8, 2011.
Dr. JP said that the port-cum-shipyard would attract investments of up to Rs.20000 crore in course of time and contribute to the economic development of south coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Dr. JP today demanded that the State Government scrap the irregular agreements with private port companies and allocate land for the proposed major port-cum-shipyard.
Dr. JP also welcomed the Union Law Ministry proposal to constitute a Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC). A panel of three eminent jurists - Justices M. N. Venkatachalaiah, J. S. Varma and V. R. Krishna Iyer – constituted by the Lok Satta had endorsed the proposal. There is also a broad political consensus on the proposal. A commission comprising representatives of the Government, Opposition, judges and jurists should be entrusted with the job of appointment of judges. Dr. JP said that the judiciary cannot appoint itself and called for building public opinion ensure to ensure that the JAC is not sacrificed at the altar of partisan politics.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Dr. JP’s tribute to Ramadevi
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today described the death of Mrs. V. S. Ramadevi as a great loss to public life.
Conveying his condolences, Dr. JP said in a media statement that Mrs. Ramadevi was known for her administrative competence and social consciousness. She was straightforward and objective as Union Law Secretary, Chief Election Commissioner of India and Governor of Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. Committed to improving the common person’s life, she took part in many social activities.
Lok Satta to foster new political culture
JP advocates reforms in police, judicial and electoral segments
Politics has increasingly become the preserve of a new class of entrepreneurs abusing public office for private gain. There has been excessive centralisation, ineffective instruments of rule of law, marginalisation of citizens in governance and autocratic parties which has led to a perverse political culture.
It is in this backdrop, the Lok Satta Party (LSP) has felt that it should convert itself into a national political party so that it could foster a new political culture and create a new political formation for the new generation, party national president Dr Jayaprakash Narayan said here on Tuesday.
Talking to The Hans India, Narayan said that the time was ripe to focus on various reforms like police reforms, judicial reforms, electoral reforms and reforms in panchayat raj. The LSP would play a major role in trying to bring these reforms.
As a first step it has decentralised the party and has decided that the top leaders including Dr Narayan will function mostly from New Delhi while the state units which have elected bodies in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will focus on will look after people’s basic needs, which have so far taken a backseat as the political parties are increasingly getting mired in ‘corrupt and power hungry political culture,’ he said.
Narayan said that he foresees an unstable and disappointing political scenario post-2014 elections both at the Centre and the State. But the silver lining is that people will become wiser and a change for better would take place and the uncertainties would come to end thereafter. While refusing to predict which party would lead the coalition at Centre, he said that he does not rule out the possibility of a similar situation in the State as well.
He said that Lok Satta did not live under the illusion that it would come to power immediately. But it will participate in electoral politics. “Changes cannot be brought overnight, it requires tremendous patience.
All those who are joining Lok Satta know this very well,” he said adding that the electoral process has thrown up deficiencies but despite some imperfections in it, people opt for it because there is no better alternative.
When asked how Lok Satta proposes to take its ideology into the people since it was not known for launching agitations as other political parties do, Narayan said that he disagreed with this argument. He said other political parties were indulging in ‘drama’. “Sitting on dharnas, damaging public and private property is not the way to agitate,” he suggested. He also said that it was Lok Satta which laid the foundation for the agitation for Lok Pal bill.
It is also wrong to say that they are cadre based parties while Lok Satta does not have cadre.
Those parties having cadre is a myth. The leaders have to spend huge money to have audience for their meetings. “Unless an MLA pays them money, provides food packets, proper transportation and liquor they don’t attend the meetings. That cannot be called as cadre,” he said.
Lok Satta has been achieving what it had promised, though they do not have even a single MP, he explained.
Referring to the reservations expressed by states at the recent meeting in New Delhi, he said that it was surprising that the states which fight for their rights in a federal set-up want to deny the citizens the right to impartial, fair and effective rule of law. Lok Satta, he said, welcomes states becoming stronger but opposes behaving like feudal oligarchies.
“Police reforms, institution of strong anti corruption mechanisms, empowerment of local governments and guaranteeing services to the citizens as a matter of right are all at the heart of governance reforms. The States should not torpedo governance reforms by raising spurious arguments. None of these reforms empower the Centre. They only make the state more accountable to people,” he added.
Appealing to the state governments, political parties, media and the civil society he asked them to ensure that the agenda of accountable and transparent governance, effective rule of law is pursued as the future of the economy and society depends on the actions they take today. Any delay in acting on these changes will hurt democracy and the nation, he added.
State president Katari Srinivasa Rao said that the Lok Satta has been working quietly among the people and stood at the second position in Karnataka Legislative Council elections. In Maharashtra, six out of its candidates have been elected as sarpanchas.
The Lok Satta has put up candidates for Karnataka Assembly elections, which are to be held soon. He said that in Andhra Pradesh, the Lok Satta will contest the ensuing Panchayat Raj elections and all other local body elections as well as the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
Courtesy: The Hans India
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Lok Satta exposes states’ double standards on governance reforms
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today expressed dismay over State Governments opposing police reforms recommended by the Second Administrative Reforms Commission on the spurious argument that they encroach upon their powers and hurt their pride.
In a media statement, Dr. JP referred to reservations expressed by States at a meeting convened by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in New Delhi on April 15 to discuss ARC recommendations and said it was surprising that the States which fight for their rights in a federal set-up would like to deny the citizens the right to impartial, fair and effective rule of law.
Dr. JP pointed out that States have come into their own in the last two decades thanks to a series of developments. They include the historic Supreme Court judgment in the Bommai case making Center’s imposition of President’s rule in a State justiciable, rational and non-partisan devolution of resources on States since the Tenth Finance Commission, the dawn of the era of coalition governments at the Center, the demise of the license permit raj and the eclipse of Central public sector undertakings as the driver of economic growth.
The Lok Satta Party, Dr. JP pointed out, has always welcomed the States becoming stronger as it is opposed to a centralized, monolithic India. At the same time, the Lok Satta is opposed to States behaving like feudal oligarchies.
Police and judicial reforms, institution of strong anti corruption mechanisms, empowerment of local governments and guaranteeing services to citizens as a matter of right are all at the heart of governance reforms. The States should not torpedo governance reforms by raising spurious arguments.
Dr. JP instanced how the States in the recent past thwarted attempts for constitution of Lokayuktas along with Lokpal at the national level, failed to constitute local courts despite Central funding and violated in letter and spirit of Constitutional amendments providing for empowerment of local governments.
It is galling that the States which fight for their rights with the Center choose to deny similar rights to local governments under them. Local governments constitute the third tier of federalism, and opposing their empowerment is opposing true federalism. Similarly, citizen empowerment, or independent anti-corruption institutions, accountable and effective policing and judicial reforms are all pro-people measures. None of these reforms empower the centre. They only make states more accountable to people. Opposition to these measures in the name of federalism is the height of absurdity. Obstructionism and monopoly of power do not constitute federalism. The States seem to forget that they are ultimately answerable and accountable to people. Federalism should not be construed as a fight against people, and public good not sacrificed at the altar of States’ pride, said Dr. JP.
Dr JP appealed to state governments, political parties, media and civil society to ensure that the agenda of accountable and transparent governance, effective rule of law, empowerment of citizens and fight against corruption is pursued by all stake-holders with speed, vigour and sense of purpose. “The future of our economy and society depends on our actions today. Any delay in acting on these changes will hurt our democracy and our nation”, Dr JP said.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Aspire to become a million-member party, Dr. JP counsels AP Lok Satta
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today called upon the Andhra Pradesh unit of the party to focus on raising the strength of primary members to at least ten lakh and active members to one lakh and fielding candidates in about 100 Assembly constituencies in the ensuing general elections.
Addressing the newly elected members of the party's State Council, Dr. JP said that although the Lok Satta is just a few years old and has few resources it has set an example to all other parties in the country by holding organizational elections by secret ballot. He expressed heart-felt thanks to the Independent Election Authority, headed by former Chief Election Commissioner K. Madhava Rao for conducting the elections in an impartial manner.
He pointed out that the organizational elections have enabled people with competence, sincerity and determination to emerge as leaders. Without any reservation, a backward class candidate, Mr. Katari Srinivsa Rao, has been elected President of the State unit. That more than 50 percent of the elected State council members are youth and 25 percent women is a matter of pride, Dr. JP said.
Dr. JP conceded the electoral process has thrown up deficiencies like some competent people not finding a place in the newly elected council. "We have to learn lessons from the past and take corrective steps in future," he said by pointing out that people opt for democracy despite some imperfections in it because there is no better alternative.
Dr. JP paid to tributes to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and recalled that the Lok Satta alone held Dr. Ambedkar on par with Mahtma Gandhi. If Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation, Dr. Ambedkar is the architect of the nation. Dr. Ambedkar stood for ethical politics, fought against superstitions and dogmas and sacrificed his life a just society without social discrimination.
Dr. JP pointed out that people perceived the Lok Satta Party as one committed to fighting corruption. But building a corruption-free society is not enough. Party members should underline that the party stood for ethical politics, rational thinking, economic growth, rule of law and a harmonious society.
Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao pointed out that internal democracy in the party has helped him -- a middle class, ordinary party worker without any pedigree -- get elected as State party President. He pledged to work for strengthening the party and making a mark in the coming general elections. "Let us forgive each other for the mistakes that crept into the election process and work together in a positive spirit," he said.
Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao welcomed the gathering.In the elections held to the State party unit in the morning, the following were declared elected by the Independent Election Authority:
Vice President (General) : D.V.V.S. Varma,
General Secretary: P. Ravi Maruth,
Secretaries: J.Irammoorthy, Bheeshetty Babji, Narra Sridhar, S. Janaki Ramaraju and Nandipeta Ravinder.
Secretary (BC, SC, ST, Minorities): Eeda Chennaiah,
Secretary (Youth): T.R. Jagannadha Reddy.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
How Bangalore’s professionals are fighting netas for their city
“I heard there is a vacancy for the post of MLA of Malleswaram. I am applying for the job.”
This is how Dr Meenakshi Bharath introduces herself to her voters in this part of north-west Bangalore. A gynaecologist, Bharath is contesting her first assembly election as a Loksatta party candidate and her supporters distribute her resume to voters so that they know her better.
Dr Bharath is not the only professional making her entry into the world of politics. In the Bommanahalli constituency, a Bangalore suburb, Ashwin Mahesh is making a similar pitch to voters. This astronomer-cum-journalist who along with Bharath, has been very active in the anti-corruption Saaku movement and the India Against Corruption Jan Lokpal Bill movement in Bangalore, is also contesting on a Loksatta party ticket in this election.
Bharath and Mahesh are typical members of the Indian middle class, who have decided to get their hands dirty in the cesspool of Karnataka politics. The Loksatta Party, founded in 2006 by IAS officer-turned-politician Dr Jayaprakash Narayan in Andhra Pradesh, has fielded 15 candidates in Karnataka, all of them accomplished professionals. Nine of them are contesting from constituencies in Bangalore. A lecturer, a software engineer, a couple of farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers are some of the fields from which Loksatta party has drawn candidates to present to Karnataka voters.
“We think 2-3 of us stand a good chance. If we win that many, we will be over the moon,” said Bharath.
“It became necessary for us to do this because the government we elected in 2008 did not deliver. So we needed to come in to bring in accountability and transparency. Bangalore’s sheen has reduced. It is time Bangaloreans elected people who do not have vested interests,” she said.
The big positive that the entry of these non-political faces has brought about is that the debate in this election is around developmental issues and not mere votebank politics. They speak about local issues and quality of life. They ask why encroachments are the norm in Bangalore, where the footpaths have disappeared, the need to set up solid waste management systems and similar issues.
“For nearly 70 years since Independence, we have been fed a story of development that never seems to arrive but is always in the distant future,” writes Mahesh in his message to his voters.
“I believe it is because thus far we have only been consumers of this politics. We need to change that and become producers of the democracy we want for ourselves so that it is not only a form of government for the people and of the people but also by the people.”
At Bharath’s campaign headquarters, a poster says `If you have been waiting for change, I stand right here, in front of you’. The transparent manner in which the campaign is being conducted itself is quite a change. All funds are accounted for, even a twenty rupee note an autorickshaw driver gave to the election fund. The campaigning process does not involve in any noise pollution and loudspeakers are a no-no. They do not contribute to the carbon footprint, undertaking only bicycle or horse carriage rallies.
Victoria, an event manager, has shut her professional activity completely for the last one month to do her bit to help Bharath win.
“We have been going to meet people for almost a year now. People were surprised that we were enquiring about their problems even when elections were so far away,” said Victoria.
But despite introducing a whiff of fresh air to the electoral process in Karnataka, and Bangalore in particular, not many expect the professionals to triumph on debut. Even though Bangalore has seen considerable angst over the manner in which civic, infrastructure and environmental woes were not sufficiently addressed by the BJP government, these professionals may not find that it translates into votes in their favour, primarily due to their lack of a political approach to problems and because many believe they appeal only to the elites. While they see themselves as solution providers, elections in India are also about building a base and the gestation period is invariably long.
The challenge also is in convincing voters to try out a new candidate, which is almost akin to pushing a new product in the market. At Vyalikaval, a predominantly Tamilian locality in Malleswaram, a not-to-be-missed sight is a huge cutout of superstar Rajinikanth. A local resident, Victor, points to the cutout and says with a degree of pride, “I also work in the RTC as a conductor in Bangalore, like he did many years ago.”
When I ask him who he will vote for, Victor draws on Rajnikanth to explain his decision.
“Even the Superstar took some time before the masses accepted him. Similarly, these newcomers into politics also should be patient. If they are good, we will vote for them. Everyone likes to vote for the winner. We would not like our vote to go waste, you see,” he said.
The consensus on the street is that it is certainly a good beginning. Mainstream parties like the Congress feel that if the new candidates poll a significant number of votes, established political parties will realise the merit in fielding professionals and clean candidates and might do so the next time round.
Five years ago, Karnataka was seen as the BJP’s gateway into south India. In 2013, well-meaning professionals are hoping to use Karnataka as a gateway to a democracy.
Courtesy: Firstpost
Elected Unanimously to Lok Satta Party Posts
The Independent Election Authority today declared the following were unanimously elected office-bearers of the Lok Satta Party after withdrawal of nominations:
Vice President (Coastal Andhra): Y. D. Rama Rao
Vice President (Rayalaseema): K. Omkar
Vice President (Telangana): Bandaru Ramamohan Rao
Vice President (Woman): D. Lakshmi
Vice President (SC/ST/BC/Minorities): V. Laxman Balaji
Vice President (Youth): Allu Siva Ramesh Reddy
Vice President (NRI): Padma Bhupatiraju
Secretary (Woman): M. Suneetha Chowdary
The IEA will be conducting election to other state party office-bearers on Sunday, April 14.
It may be recalled that Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao has already been declared elected President of the State unit of the party.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Katari Srinivasa Rao Elected President of AP Lok Satta
Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao has been elected President of the Andhra Pradesh unit of the Lok Satta Party.
The Independent Election Authority which conducted the election by secret ballot on April 5, 6 and 7 declared the result at the end of counting today at the State party headquarters today.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao won by a majority of 702 votes over his rival Mr. Kongara Gangadhara Rao.
The party President is elected by an electoral college comprising about 1800 delegates who in turn are chosen by about 27,400 active, lifetime and executive members of the party.
According to the IEA, 1378 delegates within the State and 26 foreign delegates took part in the voting.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao polled 1044 votes including 14 of foreign delegates. Mr. Gangadhara Rao polled 342 votes including 11 of foreign delegates.
Talking to media, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said it that a man like him belonging to a backward class could get elected to the top position in a party only because of internal democracy. He pledged to live up to people's expectations and strengthen the party during his two-year term and extended his Telugu New Year greetings to all Telugu-speaking people.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao has been associated with the Lok Satta movement and the Lok Satta Party right from their inception. He had served as Secretary of Ranga Reddy unit of the Lok Satta movement and Vice President of the Greater Hyderabad Lok Satta Party unit before becoming General Secretary of the State party unit.
Forty-three-year old Srinivasa Rao, born into a backward class family of Ongole in Prakasam district, graduated from VSR College, Chirala and obtained his Master of Computer Applications degree from Nagarjuna University. He served as Assistant Professor of Computer Science in Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, from 1998 to 2008.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao has launched many campaigns for improvement of people's living conditions and good governance. He marshaled hundreds of volunteers in the landmark Campaign for Integrated Transport Improvement (CITI) in the twin cities that yielded significant improvements for lakhs of commuters.
Mr. Srinivasa Rao led and coordinated a detailed and intensive voter list verification campaign in Sanatnagar area, covering nearly two lakh voters. The campaign led to major improvements in voter enrolment and verification, transparency and accessibility of electoral rolls, especially via internet. He has has led a multi-pronged fight for justice in the Building Penalization/Regularization Scheme (BPS/BRS).
He has been actively involved in the Surajaya movement of the party which seeks a strong institutional framework for eradicating corruption and empowerment of local governments.
Married to Padmaja, he is father of two sons – Harichandan (12) and Muralikrishna (9).
Monday, April 8, 2013
Formation of Indian Judicial Service Imperative, says Lok Satta
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan said today that constitution of an Indian Judicial Service (IJS) is imperative if the judiciary were to attract the best and the brightest and offer services of highest standards.
In a media statement, Dr. JP pointed out that Constitution makers in their wisdom had provided for the formation of IJS on the lines of all-India services like the IAS and the IPS. The Supreme Court too on many occasions has underlined that IJS formation has been long overdue.
Dr. JP recalled that at the initiative of the Lok Satta, three eminent jurists of impeccable integrity and credibility – Justice M. N. Venkatachalaiah, Justice J. S. Varma and Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer – had studied the subject in depth and unanimously recommended constitution of a National Judicial Commission and an Indian Judicial Service.
There is broad consensus among all mainstream political parties on the need for IJS, Dr. JP said and added that the new service would go a long way in promoting national integration. Once IJS is constituted, it will provide a pool of talent for recruitment to higher judiciary in course of time.
Dr. JP trashed apprehensions among certain quarters that the IJS will be ineffective since its members, recruited on an all-India basis, will not have knowledge of the local language, history and customs. If IAS and IPS officials recruited on an all-India basis interact with people on a daily basis and render high quality services, there is no reason to doubt that judicial officers confined mostly to their chambers cannot do justice to their job. Learning of local language can form part of training for judicial officers just as it is for IAS and IPS officials.
Dr. JP appealed to all political parties and young law graduates to come together and ensure that IJS becomes a reality without further delay.
Dosapati Ramu elected President of Greater Hyderabad Lok Satta
Thirty-four-year-old Dosapati Ramu, a Master of Business Administration and software employee, has been elected President of the Greater Hyderabad unit of the Lok Satta Party.
The Independent Election Authority, which conducted the Lok Satta Party's organizational elections, announced today that the following have been elected to various other posts in the Greater Hyderabad unit:
Vice President – Srinivas Gorti
Vice President (Reserved for SC, ST, BC, minorities) – Vinod Yadav
Vice President (Reserved for women) – S. V. Gajanani
Vice President (Reserved for youth) - Satyanarayana Singarapu
Secretary – G. Venugopala Rao
Joint Secretaries – Bhavani Pericherla and Bhimasankara Sastry
Joint Secretary (Reserved for youth) – Sivaramakrishna
Joint Secretary ((Reserved for SC, ST, BC, minorities) – Babu Anand Undra
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Lok Satta elections an example to all parties: Dr.JP
Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today hoped that the party’s organizational elections by secret ballot would promote internal democracy and serve as an example to all other parties.
Dr. JP was talking to media after exercising his franchise in the elections to the post of the State party President and office-bearers of the Greater Hyderabad unit.
Dr. JP pointed out that democracy alone facilitated people with different outlooks and backgrounds to work for a common goal under democratically elected leadership. In the party elections, the vote of the ordinary party worker had the same value as that of the national president.
Dr. JP said the Independent Election Authority headed by Mr. Kaki Madhava Rao conducted the elections in an exemplary manner. He congratulated party workers who took part in the elections enthusiastically.
Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao and Mr. Kongara Gangadhara Rao, who contested for the post of the State party President, thanked the party and its President Dr. JP for enabling ordinary workers to contest for the top post in the party. Both of them pledged to work for the party whoever won in the race.
The polling for the president’s election which began in different districts on April 5 concluded today. Counting of votes and declaration of the result will take place on April 10.
