Mumbai
Dear members
Lok Satta Party has rejoiced with AAP's recent showing in Delhi elections. It is a major boost to the demand for cleaner politics. We can not forget that clean politics is a larger and common goal for us all, as Indians first.
For the coming elections, AAP will inevitably represent the wave of clean politics. There is a natural desire amongst many to know whether Lok Satta will play a constructive role in elections of clean funding and clean candidates. The answer to this question is clear that we must do everything to support clean politics. The difficult question is how do we contribute to this process.
In our Maharashtra general member meeting last week, a range of options were discussed. We summarise them as below along with a general sense that seems to be emerging amongst us:
1. Should we focus on "clean politics" with a possibly weak governance agenda of AAP or should we support a "good governance" agenda of BJP?
Sense of leadership: the wave of clean politics is strong and must not be weakened at any cost. But we cannot also overlook the fact that India is reeling under gross mis-governance over last few years. Recent results in other states show that this is as much an anti-congress wave as it is a clean politics wave. Lok Satta has credible reason to believe that BJP will focus extensively on governance if they win elections. Plus there can be no govt without congress or BJP in centre. Any decision will have to consider both needs before the country.
Sense of members: Members overwhelmingly support the idea of strengthening clean politics at this stage.
2. Should we merge with AAP?
Sense of leadership: it is something that should be explored in the interest of the nation. We know that AAPs governance agenda is weak and not wholly consonant with Lok Satta's approach. Their leadership is undoubtedly sincere but not very familiar to bureaucracy and running govt. JP, who is hailed as an excellent administrator and has closely run the AP state govt as Secretary can be an invaluable addition.
Sense of members: The general sense is that if JP's voice is placed in the core group of decision takers, this must be explored
3. What if merger is not possible, should we consider alliance?
Sense of top leadership: even above Maharashtra unit, at a national level which is setting the party's vision, there is deep concern on whether we will lose our voice in AAP. When a populist decision will be taken on majority basis, even JP will be expected to toe the line publicly. Should he or any of us attracted to Lok Satta for its vision make such a compromise? In this case, small as we may be today, it is undeniable that due to heightened interest in clean politics, there is already a renewed interest in Lok Satta. Should we not prefer to choose the method that gives our voice most impact. This could be best achieved by an alliance.
Sense of members: Many members seemed to prefer alliance over merger to retain the voice that we have come to value. Others felt that this should be explored only if merger is not possible
4. What if neither alliance or merger is possible?
Sense of leadership: this will occur only if AAP is convinced that they must hold on to their basic ideological moorings which are seemingly different from ours. We will need to respect such a decision on their part. We must continue to work with our sense of purpose. Let us learn from what's been done well and improve ourselves. We will avoid electoral conflict with AAP in most states. AP may need to follow a different approach and may have impact in our state strategy as well.
All political representations are ultimately a battle of ideas. Clean politics is not a debatable idea, its a must! The question before us is really how to carry forward Lok Satta's idea of a liberal, inclusive India where minimum govt is an enabler rather than a deliverer of prosperity. Our best bet is to see JP in parliament.
You have a right to know and participate at this stage. Please feel free to write or speak to us on how you want to contribute.
This is going to be a time of serious personal and collective choices. Let us be guided by reason and conscience. Let us all realise our importance as an individuals to activities as well as discussions that will guide our future.
Lok Satta Party has rejoiced with AAP's recent showing in Delhi elections. It is a major boost to the demand for cleaner politics. We can not forget that clean politics is a larger and common goal for us all, as Indians first.
For the coming elections, AAP will inevitably represent the wave of clean politics. There is a natural desire amongst many to know whether Lok Satta will play a constructive role in elections of clean funding and clean candidates. The answer to this question is clear that we must do everything to support clean politics. The difficult question is how do we contribute to this process.
In our Maharashtra general member meeting last week, a range of options were discussed. We summarise them as below along with a general sense that seems to be emerging amongst us:
1. Should we focus on "clean politics" with a possibly weak governance agenda of AAP or should we support a "good governance" agenda of BJP?
Sense of leadership: the wave of clean politics is strong and must not be weakened at any cost. But we cannot also overlook the fact that India is reeling under gross mis-governance over last few years. Recent results in other states show that this is as much an anti-congress wave as it is a clean politics wave. Lok Satta has credible reason to believe that BJP will focus extensively on governance if they win elections. Plus there can be no govt without congress or BJP in centre. Any decision will have to consider both needs before the country.
Sense of members: Members overwhelmingly support the idea of strengthening clean politics at this stage.
2. Should we merge with AAP?
Sense of leadership: it is something that should be explored in the interest of the nation. We know that AAPs governance agenda is weak and not wholly consonant with Lok Satta's approach. Their leadership is undoubtedly sincere but not very familiar to bureaucracy and running govt. JP, who is hailed as an excellent administrator and has closely run the AP state govt as Secretary can be an invaluable addition.
Sense of members: The general sense is that if JP's voice is placed in the core group of decision takers, this must be explored
3. What if merger is not possible, should we consider alliance?
Sense of top leadership: even above Maharashtra unit, at a national level which is setting the party's vision, there is deep concern on whether we will lose our voice in AAP. When a populist decision will be taken on majority basis, even JP will be expected to toe the line publicly. Should he or any of us attracted to Lok Satta for its vision make such a compromise? In this case, small as we may be today, it is undeniable that due to heightened interest in clean politics, there is already a renewed interest in Lok Satta. Should we not prefer to choose the method that gives our voice most impact. This could be best achieved by an alliance.
Sense of members: Many members seemed to prefer alliance over merger to retain the voice that we have come to value. Others felt that this should be explored only if merger is not possible
4. What if neither alliance or merger is possible?
Sense of leadership: this will occur only if AAP is convinced that they must hold on to their basic ideological moorings which are seemingly different from ours. We will need to respect such a decision on their part. We must continue to work with our sense of purpose. Let us learn from what's been done well and improve ourselves. We will avoid electoral conflict with AAP in most states. AP may need to follow a different approach and may have impact in our state strategy as well.
All political representations are ultimately a battle of ideas. Clean politics is not a debatable idea, its a must! The question before us is really how to carry forward Lok Satta's idea of a liberal, inclusive India where minimum govt is an enabler rather than a deliverer of prosperity. Our best bet is to see JP in parliament.
You have a right to know and participate at this stage. Please feel free to write or speak to us on how you want to contribute.
This is going to be a time of serious personal and collective choices. Let us be guided by reason and conscience. Let us all realise our importance as an individuals to activities as well as discussions that will guide our future.
Write to: participate@loksattamh.org
