Couldn't agree moreBy: Anuranjan Roy | 17-May-2009Reply | ForwardI am in agreement with most of what Shekhar has put forward here except with the Mr. Advani being an honest politician bit. Being a politician is a full time job and it involves putting a lot of sweat and toil at the grass-roots level than most people would imagine. The reform has to come from within the major parties. Independent candidates running the show is sure to lead to chaos and anarchy. If all politicians (and let's add bureaucrats and policemen to the list, because as far as the urban hit-list goes they are up there with the politicians) were corrupt and beyond repair this nation would've gone to the dogs about 10 years into our Independence.
Loksatta PartyBy: vk | 06-May-2009Reply | ForwardLoksatta is a political party now (not contested as an NGO) and it had fielded candidates in more than 250 constituencies (out of 294) in Andhra pradesh assembly elections. In the recent AP elections, the voter turnout was nearly 72.5% (I think it is second highest in state record). Voters are enthusiatic like never before and a lot of new voters have participated in this election which is a good sign for democracy in india. There are a good number of silent voters this time and Loksatta is expected to get a decent vote share(atleast 3-4%) in the current elections and strengthen their base in the future. Many People in the state are aware of the party and its agenda now through media. It doesn't seem like their survival/existence is a question now.
LoksattaBy: vk | 06-May-2009Reply | ForwardLoksatta is a political party now (not contested as an NGO) and it had fielded candidates in more than 250 constituencies (out of 294) in Andhra pradesh assembly elections. In the recent AP elections, the voter turnout was nearly 72.5% (I think it is second highest in state record). Voters are enthusiatic like never before and a lot of new voters have participated in this election which is a good sign for democracy in india. There are a good number of silent voters this time and Loksatta is expected to get a decent vote share(atleast 3-4%) in the current elections and strengthen their base in the future. Many People in the state are aware of the party and It doesn't seem like their survival/existence is a question now.
Honest Leader...?By: Aman | 06-May-2009Reply | ForwardDid you just call advani "honest people"...???
A systematic assault on corruption, socialism, and communalism is startingBy: Sanjeev Sabhlok | 06-May-2009Reply | ForwardI totally support (in principle) what you've said, leaving aside minor details. Contesting elections as independents or a small party, and hoping to get elected and change things is like Don Quixote’s tilting at windmills. The Indian voter will shift allegiance from existing corrupt formations only when a major national party is available as an option at the hustings, with hundreds of outstanding leaders speaking from the same song sheet, communicating their message over the course of a few years.If our new breed politicians are serious they must unite into one or two major groups based on their policy preference, and work strategically and systematically over the next few years. Indeed, Shekhar, aware of such basic matters, a group (Freedom Team of India) has started about a year ago to work through this slower but surer option. I encourage you to drop by at http://freedomteam.in and provide us with your common sense and strategic thinking.
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