The Hindu : Gandhians' role in elections

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Feb 29, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Gandhians' role in elections

By Our Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM, FEB. 28. "We Gandhians, as a matter of policy, have not taken any part in the past general elections, but we cannot keep quiet this time, because of the distress experienced by people by the wrong Government policies that have resulted in loss of values,'' said the Sarva Seva Sangh leader, Ganga Prasad Agarwal, at a meeting organised by the Gandhi Centre here on Friday.

Drawing a parallel from the Mahabharata, he pointed out that wise people like Bhishma and Drona did not prevent the disrobing of the Pandava queen Draupadi, because they had eaten the salt of the Kauravas.

"Since we are not obliged to anybody like Bhishma and Drona, we are taking all efforts towards bringing back Gandhian values and save our democracy,'' he said. Dr. Agarwal referred to the "feel good'' factor trumpeted by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders and said that there was absolutely nothing to feel good about, because farmers were committing suicide in large numbers unable to bear the debt burden; unemployment was mounting forcing the youth to extremism; atrocities were being committed against dalits and weaker sections; the globalisation policy had led to exploitation of natives by multinational corporate giants; and the secular fabric of the country was being threatened.

He said that there was a need for self-introspection by all concerned and political parties had to be compelled to spell out their viewpoints on these aspects.

"The Sarva Seva Sangh's resolution at the recent Cuttack conference had given some broad guidelines for Gandhians to educate people on these issues so that they could judge properly and exercise their franchise,'' he said.

As the in-charge of the campaign in Andhra Pradesh, he would tour the State and organise meetings with groups of women, youth, social workers and intellectuals and motivate them on these issues.

"Time has come for Sarva Seva Sangh to make people realise that only Gandhian values can rescue the country in this hour of distress,'' Dr. Agarwal said.

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