Political Diary

Transforming Andhra Pradesh Politics
Time to act is - Now!
Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Guwahati…. Do we need more warnings? We all hate today’s politics. But this hatred will take us nowhere. We need new politics. So far, we have been helpless. Traditional parties have become dens of corruption, cynicism, casteism, criminality and family rule. Now, there is a new, ethical platform to fulfil our aspirations: Lok Satta Party in Andhra Pradesh (AP).

Lok Satta Party

* Embodies the truly New Political Culture
* Has a powerful transformative agenda
* Has a real chance of winning - a historic opportunity

Lok Satta is known to 75% of the people of AP. Lok Satta’s credibility after twelve years of record is impeccable. Its agenda is to transform India and promote dignity, opportunity and justice to all. Two-thirds of voters want clean politics and competent government; they provide Lok Satta a real chance of success.

We invite you to participate. New Political Culture offers opportunities for everyone: you can be a member, a party builder, a leader or a candidate for public office. We need leaders not based on caste or family background. And, we need ethical money for ethical politics.


I. Lok Satta Party Embodies New Political Culture

Genuine party democracy: LSP only mainstream party with elected leadership at all levels LSP members choose party’s electoral candidates in a democratic and transparent process Self-correction institutions - members have power to recall elected party leaders

Ethical resources: LSP India’s only party to raise and deploy funds in a totally transparent and ethical manner Party's audited annual financial accounts made public

Party of youth: 50% of leadership positions in Party’s General Councils reserved for youth one-third, for women.

New culture of politics: Agenda and action symbolize inclusive, practical, acceptable and national approach - above region, religion, caste or class No politics of rasta-rokos and bandhs

II. Powerful agenda to transform Andhra Pradesh

* Coherent, inclusive and practical political framework for entire India
focused on AP for now but completely national in agenda and approach
* Agenda harmonizes conflicting interests and acceptable to diverse sections of the public Credible and effective policies and priorities on even complex issues: SEZs, reservations, national security & human rights, wealth & subsidies, etc. LSP’s credibility on governance agenda and public policy unmatched in contemporary Indian politics LSP’s practical, effective, affordable and achievable set of measures released as 50 Irrevocable Guarantees to the People (www.loksatta.org/images/50_Guarantees.pdf ).
* High quality education, universal and comprehensive public healthcare (no more out-of-pocket burden for hospital costs), skills to guarantee employment Setting up National Volunteer Corps to enable youth to serve the country and make a living
* LSP opposes further, unconstitutional expansion of reservations (beyond 50%) and deepening caste divisions 10% bonus marks in competitive exams to students of poor, rural families - irrespective of caste opportunities for growth for everyone – irrespective of circumstances of birth.
* Directly elected and fully-empowered district governments Additional funds directly to the village and urban ward governments (Rs.1000/- per capita, times the population) to implement village manifestoes Developing 1000 small towns in AP with modern infrastructure
* Police Reforms: eliminating political interference in crime investigation and public security Judicial Reforms: setting up local courts for accessible, affordable and quick justice Assets of the corrupt to be seized for public use Fusing of state authority with public accountability.
* Revitalizing agriculture by credit, input and marketing reforms; expanding agro-industries for enhancing rural incomes



III. LSP’s real chance of electoral success – a historic opportunity

Unmatched credibility and reach: LSP built on India’s largest civil society movement since Independence Lok Satta is known to 75% of the people of AP and with near-universal acceptance 1 94% of television news viewers supported the formation of LSP and its agenda 2 Party Chapters in all districts of the State; grassroots units cover over 90% of Mandals Unmatched successes over the past decade (see box below)

Strong Platform: LSP contested independently against all established parties in May 2008 bye-elections (AP) Despite massive money-and-muscle power deployed by opposition parties, LSP’s candidates secured 18% and 14.5% vote share in two critical constituencies

Quadrangular Contest: Four-way fight in AP in 2009 elections Congress (I), TDP, newly-formed PRP against Lok Satta Party But, two-thirds of voters support clean politics & half of the electorate not swayed by money-and-muscle power (see pie chart) LSP offers genuine political alternative Challenge is to make them aware of the strength of their numbers LSP geared for >25% vote share; enough to win in 2009

The Time is Ripe: People increasingly rejecting established political culture Electorate thirsting for meaningful political change; ready to vote for good governance Urgent need for New Political Culture 2009 elections offer a historic opportunity



Lok Satta's Decade of Unmatched Successes

* Arrested increasing criminalization of politics in AP; led to mandatory disclosure of electoral candidates' financial and criminal antecedents across India
* Political funding law reform (2003) enables transparent and legal contribution to parties through 100% tax-exemption
* 91st Constitutional Amendment to limit size of Council of Ministers
* Tightening of anti-defection provisions in Constitution's 10th Schedule
* Right to Information Act (2005)
* Citizen's Charters introduced in India
* Bill to establish Local Courts & Constitutional Amendment Bill to liberate cooperatives from government clutches (both in final stages, before Parliament)
* National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
* Procedural reforms in Indirect Taxation
* Voter roll-improvements reduce errors (from 44% to 12% in urban areas)
* Post Offices now made permanent nodal centres for voter registration (starting with AP) . Easy, permanent, 24x7 and universal access to voter rolls achieved



IV. What is needed for transforming AP’s politics?
Resources:

* Ethical politics needs ethical resources
* Every single contribution will help strengthen the foundation of New Political Culture and for LSP to launch a focused challenge to the status quo.
* Contributing to Lok Satta Party’s New Political Culture is easy, completely safe and a secure process (see options). Visit www.loksatta.org/Contribute.php today
* All contributions to Lok Satta Party eligible for 100% tax-exemption.

Dynamic, young leaders and candidates:

* We invite public spirited citizens, young Indians, successful professionals to come forward and join LSP to shoulder responsibility as party leaders and electoral candidates.
*

Candidates and party leaders are chosen in a totally democratic and transparent manner

The opportunity is at hand. The time for action and support is now.

Warm Regards,

Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan

President

Source:http://www.loksatta.org/TimetoActIsNow.html