Former chief secretary B G Deshmukh felt that AGNI should not only look at governance in the city, but also at the state and central level, as the policies decided there affect governance at the city level. ``Your right does not have any meaning if it is not exercised wisely,'' pointed out Deshmukh, adding that the next step would be to inform citizens about the candidates who would contest the elections.

For this, Deshmukh suggested that a campaign be kicked off where people would be convinced to turn out in large numbers to cast their votes; interactive meetings be held where voters would get to know their candidates; and performancecharts be drawn up for candidates seeking re-election. He added that AGNI should get candidates to sign a pledge with those who draw up the manifestos, and the names of those who refuse to sign the pledge should be made public.

Another speaker, Gerson da Cunha, cited Mark Twain who had once remarked that ``Everybody complains of bad weather, but nobody does anything about it.'' The elections were no different, said Da Cunha, adding that ``Everybody just participates in talks about bad governance, but nothing is done about it.'' Da Cunha suggested that citizens should vote not only in larger numbers, but also elect the best candidate among those contesting. Candidates ought to sign a pledge saying they would discuss how they proposed to use their funds, and be more accountable to citizens, he mooted.

The discussion then veered about how this could be done, and the medium to be used to reach to the masses. Suggestions ranged from creating awareness through word of mouth to using local cable televisionnetworks to advertisements in local newsletters to the Internet and e-mail.

The meeting was chaired by Sheilu Srinivasan of the Dignity Foundation. Members of the group from different wards also spoke of their experience with civic officers, and how the civic administration seemed to have become more open to their complaints.