The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Lok Satta to lead `Vote India' campaign across nation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 10, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Lok Satta to lead `Vote India' campaign across nation

Staff Reporter

KURNOOL: Lok Satta will lead a `Vote India' campaign for administrative and electoral reforms in the country. The organisation mobilised the support of various citizen activist groups in the country to take up issues like proportional representation, separation of powers between legislature and executive and internal democracy in political parties.

The State coordinator of Lok Satta, D.V.V.S. Verma, said on Monday that various groups in different States would work under the Vote India banner while Lok Satta would take a lead role. In the first step, 1,000 campaigners would be trained to create a pool of resource persons to start work in 11 cities in the country.

Ills in polity

Mr. Verma said various ills were noticed in the polity as the party, which came second to the winner had no representation proportionate to the votes it polled. Also, the leader of the winning party was unable to function independently because of the crucial support needed from the members to continue in power. Mr. Verma stressed on the need for internal democracy and transparency in political parties, which were the first institution of a democratic set-up.

Mr. Verma said Lok Satta would oppose any move to introduce indirect election in local bodies, which were the only institution wherein the head was elected directly by voters.

Also, nominated posts would be opposed in the municipalities, which, Mr. Verma said, would water down the people's verdict.

Anti-corruption movement

He said Lok Satta would launch a movement in June to ensure issuing of basic certificates to students in a corruption-free atmosphere. During the survey, it was found that students experienced first the evil presence of corruption in society while seeking nativity, income, caste and birth certificates.

Complaint boxes would be set up at various places. Activists of Lok Satta would take up the issue to ensure that the bribe amount was returned to the student. The member of the State coordination committee, C. Yellaiah, was present.

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