Aspire to become a million-member party, Dr. JP counsels AP Lok Satta

Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today called upon the Andhra Pradesh unit of the party to focus on raising the strength of primary members to at least ten lakh and active members to one lakh and fielding candidates in about 100 Assembly constituencies in the ensuing general elections.

Addressing the newly elected members of the party's State Council, Dr. JP said that although the Lok Satta is just a few years old and has few resources it has set an example to all other parties in the country by holding organizational elections by secret ballot. He expressed heart-felt thanks to the Independent Election Authority, headed by former Chief Election Commissioner K. Madhava Rao for conducting the elections in an impartial manner.

He pointed out that the organizational elections have enabled people with competence, sincerity and determination to emerge as leaders. Without any reservation, a backward class candidate, Mr. Katari Srinivsa Rao, has been elected President of the State unit. That more than 50 percent of the elected State council members are youth and 25 percent women is a matter of pride, Dr. JP said.

Dr. JP conceded the electoral process has thrown up deficiencies like some competent people not finding a place in the newly elected council. "We have to learn lessons from the past and take corrective steps in future," he said by pointing out that people opt for democracy despite some imperfections in it because there is no better alternative.

Dr. JP paid to tributes to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and recalled that the Lok Satta alone held Dr. Ambedkar on par with Mahtma Gandhi. If Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation, Dr. Ambedkar is the architect of the nation. Dr. Ambedkar stood for ethical politics, fought against superstitions and dogmas and sacrificed his life a just society without social discrimination.

Dr. JP pointed out that people perceived the Lok Satta Party as one committed to fighting corruption. But building a corruption-free society is not enough. Party members should underline that the party stood for ethical politics, rational thinking, economic growth, rule of law and a harmonious society.

Mr. Katari Srinivasa Rao pointed out that internal democracy in the party has helped him -- a middle class, ordinary party worker without any pedigree -- get elected as State party President. He pledged to work for strengthening the party and making a mark in the coming general elections. "Let us forgive each other for the mistakes that crept into the election process and work together in a positive spirit," he said.

Mr. P. Bhaskara Rao welcomed the gathering.In the elections held to the State party unit in the morning, the following were declared elected by the Independent Election Authority:

Vice President (General) : D.V.V.S. Varma,
General Secretary: P. Ravi Maruth,
Secretaries: J.Irammoorthy, Bheeshetty Babji, Narra Sridhar, S. Janaki Ramaraju and Nandipeta Ravinder.
Secretary (BC, SC, ST, Minorities): Eeda Chennaiah,
Secretary (Youth): T.R. Jagannadha Reddy.