Press Releases Archive

Dr. JP recalls Lok Satta’s stellar role in transforming politics

No other civil society movement or political party has achieved so much in so short a time as the Lok Satta in transforming politics in India, asserted Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today. “Yet, we have miles to go for realizing our goal of good politics and good governance,” he added.

Addressing media to mark the seventh anniversary of the party, Dr. JP pointed out that the Lok Satta was largely responsible for adoption of three Constitutional amendments by Parliament. The 91st amendment to the Constitution imposing a ceiling on the number of Ministers at the Center and in States, the 97th amendment providing for autonomy to cooperatives, and the 120th amendment facilitating formation of a Judicial Appointments Commission are all the results of Lok Satta efforts.

The Lok Satta was also instrumental in the adoption of laws providing for disclosure of assets and liabilities and criminal antecedents of electoral contestants, formation of local courts, political funding law and right to information. Its initiatives for laws on guaranteeing service to citizens and formation of an Indian Judicial Service will bear fruit shortly.

Recalling Lok Satta’s efforts to go to the rescue of the farmer, Dr. JP said it has succeeded in persuading the Union Government to permit export of food grains and impose customs duty on import of edible oils. It has ensured a better price for AP paddy by fighting against illegal restrictions on its movement outside the State. It is fighting on behalf of farmers for the promotion of genetically modified crops.

Dr. JP said the distinction for electing office-bearers through secret ballot for the first time in decades in Indian history goes to the Lok Satta Party.

A lot more remains to be done to transform our politics, governance and economy. Proportional representation system, strong and empowered local governments, independent and effective anti-corruption institutions, and service guarantees law are the most important changes required to make our politics an instrument to improve the lot of the people. Lok Satta is dedicated to creating new politics to a new generation of Indians, and will pursue these goals steadfastly over the next few years, Dr JP said.

Dr. JP appealed to youth, women, farmers, middle classes and self-employed people to be in the forefront in the fight for good governance and economic prosperity. The Lok Satta Party has launched the Surajya movement to demand among other things quality education, healthcare and livelihood opportunities for all, decentralization of administration, provision of Government services as a matter of right and strong institutional mechanisms for eradicating corruption.

Dr. JP said he has no doubt that in the next five to 10 years politics will undergo a transformation for the better because of the awakening among youth, rise of the middle class and the impact of the media.

Dr. JP said the party would decide on its 2014 general election strategy at the party’s General Council meeting in Hyderabad on October 19. The council will debate whether it should contest in all seats or concentrate in select seats and whether it should enter into alliances and if so with whom. The Lok Satta, he said, is conscious of its limitations: First it is short of resources since it does not believe in collecting black money. Second, it does not divide people on the basis of caste and religion, region and language. Third, it has to contend with parties whose agendas and methods are entirely different. And finally, Lok Satta wants to pursue ethical politics and opposes vote buying and short-term freebies.

He disclosed that the Lok Satta Party has decided to extend unconditional support to the Aam Aadmi Party in the Delhi elections.

Replying to a question on formation of Telangana State, Dr. JP said the Lok Satta stood for an amicable, comprehensive and permanent solution. Whether the State is divided or kept united, the concerns of aggrieved people should be addressed and resolved. Dr. JP pointed out that protagonists on either side of the current great divide have roused false hopes and fuelled unnecessary fears. Formation of a separate State will neither be a panacea nor a catastrophe, he added.

State Lok Satta Party President Katari Srinivasa Rao recalled the Lok Satta fought against malpractices at petrol bunks and facilitated easy enrolment of voters. The Lok Satta played a key role in the launch of the National Rural Health Mission, cancellation of the 2 G spectrum licenses, thwarting of the move to provide immunity to convicted legislators from being disqualified, and the Nirbahaya law enactment.

Lok Satta Party leaders D. V. V. S. Varma, Ravi Maruth, N. Saroja Devi, P. Sivaji and Dosapati Ramu took part in the get-together with the media.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013 - 18:09

Dr. JP sees a glimmer of hope in Lalu’s conviction

The conviction of Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal President and former Bihar Chief Minister, by a CBI court “gives some hope that the corrupt will be punished at long last,” commented Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan today.

In a media statement, Dr. JP, however, pointed out that it took 20 years to finish the trial and appeals might take decades.

A CBI court on September 30 convicted Mr. Lalu Prasad and 44 others in the fodder scam dating back to the 1990’s.

Dr. JP said, “If 10 top politicians and officials are convicted in every State and their properties confiscated, we can reduce corruption.”

Dr. JP said the Lalu Prasad case exposes the political crisis in India. A product of the anti-corruption struggle and the Emergency, Mr. Lalu Prasad was the darling of media and masses in the 1990’s. Yet, he became a part of what is wrong. As Lalu had realized that ethical conduct and political power were unrelated to each other, he became a cynical practitioner of all unseemly methods in power politics – caste mobilization, sectarianism, patronage, corruption, polarization, short-term populism and criminalization.

“Mr. Lalu Prasad’s rise and fall are a symbol of a generation’s failure. We wasted three decades by delaying political & economic reform.

“In today’s India, honesty has become incompatible with power in politics. Good people have to quit politics or compromise on values.

“We need a system that makes honest, competent, committed persons electable. Right now they are a liability. Ethical and rational politicians should be seen as assets in a sensible system. We need the proportional representation system to change politics, and allow the entry and success of clean, rational and competent citizens in politics.

“Proportional representation at the top end, local empowerment at the bottom, and accountability everywhere – these are needed to cleanse our political system.

“Political reform, guaranteed service delivery, rule of law, opportunity for all and economic growth – these should be our mantras in the coming years. If we achieve them, our democracy will be safe, our youth will have a bright future, and our economy will prosper”.

(To know more about Dr. JP’s views on latest developments, please click www.twitter.com/jp_loksatta)

Monday, September 30, 2013 - 15:31

SC verdict on negative vote option positive: Dr. JP

The Lok Satta today described the Supreme Court judgment providing for casting a negative vote in elections as a small but significant and positive step in improving politics.

In a media statement, Lok Satta Party national President Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan recalled that the Lok Satta movement had suggested the reform to the Election Commission of India 15 years ago. Since the Election Commission could not change the rules on its own, it referred the matter to the Government of India. The Government has not acted on the suggestion.

The Supreme Court has now asked the Election Commission to provide ‘None of the Above (NOTA)’ button on EVMs and option on ballot papers. The apex court said the right to vote and the right to say NOTA are both part of the basic right of voters.

Dr. JP recalled that the NOTA option will not be a game changer going by past experience. Hardy one or two percent of voters exercised such an option when Lok Satta campaigned hard to mobilize Negative vote. In Andhra Pradesh, fewer than 1% exercised negative vote option when the State Election Commission tried it in local elections in the past.

Yet, Dr. JP said, the reform will serve the purpose of pressurizing political parties to shun fielding undesirable and discredited candidates. It will also motivate a section of voters who do not go to the polling booth now on the pretext that all the candidates in the race are detestable. In such cases voters can be encouraged to exercise the option of recording their dissent by negative vote.

The NOTA reform will also come in handy when voters feel none of the political parties or candidates in the fray is mirroring their feelings in time of emotional polarization or surcharged atmosphere. The voters, especially in a local election, can express their wrath against all candidates if a long-pending problem is not addressed to their satisfaction. On occasion it could also be a weapon to mobilize sectarian vote based on caste or ethnicity in support of highly parochial demands.

There will be a real transformation in politics only when all political parties field candidates with credibility, integrity, competence and good track record, Dr. JP added. “Political crisis of the nation can only be resolved by political means and citizens’ participation, not by judiciary or Election Commission alone.”

Friday, September 27, 2013 - 15:31

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