At a time when authoritarianism and dynastic politics are undermining the principles of democracy in India, it is necessary to explore alternatives and create a new political force which is truly democratic, transparent and federal in nature, Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav has said.
Delivering the keynote address at a convention to explore the possibilities of a people’s alternative here on Saturday, he said that Indian democracy was at a crossroads as the existing political parties had promoted undemocratic principles. It was the main reason why the common people’s lives had turned miserable in post-Independent India.
“Today, the Indian democracy was at a crossroads as it is crippled between the authoritarianism of the kinds of Prime Minister Naredra Modi on the one side and the dynastic rule of the Congress and regional parties on the other. No political party can stand truly for democracy. Unfortunately, the so called political alternatives merged out of people’s movements too have turned out to be a carbon copy of the Congress and the BJP. Therefore, creating an alternative political force is the necessity of our times. But such alternatives will not succeed if they fail to adhere to the principles of democracy in their functioning, maintain transparency and stick to federal values,” he said.
Mr. Yadav pointed out that the country had witnessed several movements and agitations over various issues, which had helped achieve some of the aspirations of the people. However, it was sad that the energy generated out of such movements did not make its impact on the apex of politics. It was due to this reason that successive governments by different parties had forcefully pushed forward policies with scant regard for the welfare of the common people, he said.
In his inaugural address, senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan said that India was facing a great paradox where elections were held in a free and fair manner but the elections did not ensure the type of government that we wish to have. Parties decide on policies to expand or strengthen their vote banks and not to ensure people’s welfare. Therefore, it was necessary to explore alternatives to the existing political parties, he said. Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa, Samaj Partivartana Samudaya founder president S. R. Hiremath, Kannada writer Devanur Mahadeva, and K.S. Puttannaiah and P. Rajiv, MLAs, were present.
