BANGALORE May 22: When former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan spoke of creating a movement that would ``regenerate India in all spheres of activity,'' he had many believing that he could succeed where others had failed.

Now, when his Desabhakta Movement is being launched, those who subscribed to the `There Is No Alternative (TINA) to Seshan' principle, are sceptical, thanks to the style of functioning of the man who once ventured to revamp the country's electoral system.

Even as Seshan is busy meeting various party leaders in Delhi, begging for their support to his presidential candidature, the Bangalore Urban Chapter of the Desabhakta Movement sent Seshan a list of names of office-bearers for its local chapter. In his characteristic style, Seshan returned the letter, stating that he would be President of all local chapters. The other office-bearers would also be nominated by him.

At the preliminary meeting of the Desabhakta Society held here on Sunday last, six persons, including the Society's ad hoc President -- 77 year-old former municipal councilor C Balasundaram -- were present. One of the persons in the meeting, a retired engineer, was surprised to find that the Society's local committee members had already been named.

When contacted, Balasundaram told The Indian Express that the committee was nominated on a temporary basis until the Society was formally registered.

Once registered, elections to various posts would be held in the general body meeting. Membership fees ranged from Rs 10 (``We have to make it affordable to the poor, you see'') to Rs 5,000, he said.

What was not revealed is that the Society will have various levels of members, depending on the membership fees paid by them. Membership would cost Rs 100, Rs 500, Rs 1,000, Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000. A person paying Rs 100 every year will only be an ordinary member, with no voting rights. Only the `Rs 1,000 and above' class will be entitled to vote.

One thousand rupees seems to be the magic number in the Society. All donations made to the Society above Rs 1,000 should be sent directly to Seshan and not to the local chapter. Said one dejected `Desabhaktan' (Every person in this movement however high or low in status would be known as `Desabhaktan', says Seshan's draft action plan): ``Money raised in the city should go towards the local chapter's activities. Why should it go elsewhere?''

Balasundaram said Seshan was planning a month-long tour of the country until June 20. He would be in the city either on June 18 or on June 20. Preparations are on for an indoor meeting of all Desabhaktans with Seshan on that day, besides a press conference and a public meeting. When members wanted to know from Balasundaram how much Seshan would shell out for the meetings, Balasundaram had no answer. He is understood to have written to Seshan outlining the expenditure for his visit.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.