New Politics for the New Generation LOK SATTA PARTY New Politics for the New Generation

Lok Satta Movement - Milestones Candidate disclosures Voter rolls and registration Political funding reform Size of Council of Ministers – 91st Amendment Anti-defection provisions Right to Information Act Citizen’s Charters National Rural Health Mission Indirect taxation reforms Local Courts on the anvil

Why then, a new Political Party? Civil society’s role limited; Parties are agents of change Present-day politics a ‘business’ Many parties but no real change Mainstream parties lack the capability and the will for change First World economy cannot survive with Third World politics Need for a New Political Culture

How is Lok Satta Party different? Direct election of coordinators; provision for recall Open primary elections for electoral candidates; autonomous Electoral Authority Transparent raising of resources Institutionalized self-correction; autonomous Disciplinary Authority 50% positions for youth; 1/3 of positions for women; guaranteed representation for disadvantaged groups and minorities

The Agenda Quality education for every child Quality healthcare for every citizen Employable Skills for youth Social security for unorganized workers Agriculture and rural incomes Urban infrastructure Rural centers as hubs of development Sanitation, housing and appreciating assets Regulation of alcohol to protect 5 million poor families Empowerment of local governments Police & Judicial Reforms Transparency and Accountability

Activities and Goals Membership: currently 250,000; 500,000 by 2007-end Reach: Chapters in 90% of municipalities and 50% of mandals in AP. 100% coverage by 2007-end Mandal and Municipal party offices as citizens’ centers. Training of party functionaries and active members. Party news bulletin – Lok Satta Times Expert committees on key issues Greater Hyderabad city corporation elections - ‘VoteHyderabad’ Open primaries for Assembly and Parliament candidates in 2008.

Resources and Funding To raise and spend Rs. 9 crores by March 2008 Annual expenditure: Rs. 7 crores at State and local levels after March 2008 Election-related expenditure: Rs. 39.9 crores (maximum legal limit) 50% expenditure at State level, 50% at local levels Active members contribute 1% of annual income Goal now: Raise Rs. 10 crores

“ If I seem to take part in politics, it is only because politics encircles us today like the coil of a snake ... I wish therefore to wrestle with the snake. ” -- Mahatma Gandhi