Parties you may like...

Several small parties have been floated around which boast of educated Indians taking the plunge in active politics. From Meera Sanyal, a renowned banker and the Indian head of ABN Amro bank to Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as JP, they all have walked the talk. Bharat Votes presents a profile of such parties who represent the educated middle class Indians.

PPI – Professionals Party of India

The Professionals Party of India is a small political party set up in India in 2007. It was registered with the Election Commission of India in 2008 and starting receiving international attention in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Its main support is from India's middle class and its stated aim is "improving the Quality of Life of every Indian". It plans to stand 12-15 candidates in the 2009 general election. 


Website Address - http://www.ppi.net.in




 

Lok Satta

Lok Satta party is a political party in India founded by Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan. It was launched on October 2nd, 2006 by the Lok Satta voluntary organization. Lok Satta organization has been actively involved in bringing about several political reforms in Andhra Pradesh over the nine years of its existence. The party has opted for the whistle symbol for the 2009 elections. 

Website Address - http://www.loksatta.org

Jago Party

The aim of Jago Party is to build a new India free from terrorism, discrimination, reservation, corruption, crime, delay in justice and government inefficiency. Jago Party believes in unleashing the power of private enterprise of the people of India and it believes in confining the functions of the government to the minimum. Jago Party was launched by a group of small businessmen, engineers, civil service officers and social activists. The founder of the party is Deepak Mittal, a businessman from Hyderabad, who is now going to contest Lok Sabha elections in 2009. 

Website Address - http://jago.in

Disclaimer: The parties highlighted here are chosen based on their gaining popularity among citizens and media coverage. In case more such parties gain prominence or you know of a party that deserves recognition, please contact me .

WHY TO VOTE?

Abraham Lincoln stated that “a ballot is stronger than a bullet”. Do we, as a matter of fact being part of the democracy, believe in such perspective or we just ignore it (or tend to do so)? Here is the outlining for the major concerns that every Indian voter has while voting for a party or a candidate.

Ø  Can your single vote make a difference?

The one common outcome of every elections (assembly or parliament) held in India is that there are an unhealthy number of non-voting citizens. Reason being, the belief in these voters, who actually are left as non-voters, that their vote does not change the fate of an election. However, a single vote of yours & the vote of all like minded voters like “YOU” can really change the outcome of an election. Mathematically, the numbers can play game – one person like “YOU” multiplies with thousands similar to YOU. The vote share of the winner and the loser of an election do get affected by all such similar “YOUS”. An absolute majority may turn up as a simple minority, and who knows, perhaps even a minority. Henceforth, in a broader spectrum, your vote and votes from other electorates like YOU can become pivotal in the development of our nation.

The essence of the said is one “SINGLE” vote of yours could be seemingly successful in changing the political system governing you.

Ø  What if “you” find that the running candidates/parties are undeserving?

There are a few candidates in the foray in every election. You can of course go for an option of voting his/her rival, if you feel that a particular candidate is personally incompetent. Of course the strength of a political party and is also tested, along with the candidate’s competence. “YOU” can definitely vote for the party that appeals to you the most, if you find that all the candidates are incompetent. After voting for the candidate due to his/her party's stature, later on if “you” find that he/she did not live up to your expectations, in the forthcoming elections “you” would vote for the rival party. This would make the political party rethink its process of choosing a candidate and hopefully it would field a more appealing candidate in the future. This brings accountability among political leaders and the political parties.

Sometimes, it is argued that there are circumstances when all the candidates/parties are unworthy to be elected as people's representatives. Well, the Election Commission gives reasonably a great solution to it. Our constitution has provided a means out of this regrettably common situation. It is a modified Article 49-O. If we all as people decide that no party/candidate is worth a stay in political office, through an “amended” Article 49-O, we could be entitled to have a re- election. During this re-election, the parties/candidates would be forced to field better agendas, better solutions etc. so that they have a chance to represent us. Unfortunately, currently the Central Government has refused to amend the article.

Thus, in a way, the political parties and the candidates liable for all sorts of projects that they initiated for your cause, are actually pushed away by “YOU” as an elector. In essence, political parties are made to do what generally they tend to forget, i.e. being politically accountable.

So, we the People of India (yes people like “you”) should all pledge to vote during the forthcoming general/state elections and bring about an era for our country combating & eliminating political bigotry, corruption and ineptness. An age that we can proudly say to the world; we the People of India through our democratic duty have brought about a remarkable change to India that is solely responsible for our esteemed nation surpassing all and becoming the shining glory of the world. Yes, undoubtly we can make the 21^st century, India’s century.
Do VOTE and Do Wear the Mark. Jai Hind!