The Chandigarh unit of India Against Corruption will be organising an open forum at the bus stand roundabout for all the candidates of the Municipal Corporation elections on December 11. The forum will be for candidates who want to sign the vachan patra (declaration against corruption). Members of IAC appealed to voters not to cast their vote for nominees who have not signed the vachan patra. Members of IAC will also hold a one day fast on Sunday. The vachan patra contains a list of seven promises that the candidate will be required to fulfil in case he or she gets elected. The declaration has a provision that in case the conditions are not fulfilled it will be considered the candidates resignation. Apart from one independent candidate none of the political parties have signed the vachan patra. IAC want political parties to sign and submit the vachan patra to the election commission. They further said that the candidates should fulfil the promises in their manifestoes once elected and motivated people to use Form 11 A While parties have not signed the vachan patra,during a campaign by NGO Awaaz,a number of candidates signed a pledge letter to make the city corruption free. Members of Team Anna opine that this should not be considered the same as the vachan patra. They stated that while parties are claiming to be with Anna Hazare none of them are willing to sign the declaration.
