Lok Rajnitik Manch to bring people's issues to the fore

Special Correspondent : Monday, Jul 14, 2008
“Political intervention would be as direct as possible”
Several groups have expressed willingness to join the Manch
“Would support candidates fielded by its constituent groups in polls”
JAIPUR: Civil rights groups, people’s movements and concerned citizens announced the formation of a Lok Rajnitik Manch here on Sunday as a platform for making “political intervention” to bring to the fore people’s issues of livelihood, displacement, farm crisis, discrimination and hunger.
Social activists from across the country, who converged here for two days to evolve a broad framework for the Manch, said it would function as a confederation extending support to the candidates fielded by its constituent groups in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Veteran journalist and activist Kuldip Nayyar told reporters that the Manch would confront the established political order, with which the people were disillusioned, and try to evolve a “genuine alternative” restoring the democratic values that formed the basis of national polity after Independence.
Others who attended the two-day convention included noted activist Justice Rajinder Sachar, Magsaysay Award winners Aruna Roy and Sandeep Pandey, Arya Samaj leader Swami Agnivesh, political analyst Yogendra Yavav, Banwarilal Sharma of Azadi Bachao Andolan and Ravi Kiran Jain and Prem Krishna Sharma of People’s Union for Civil Liberties.
Mr. Yogendra Yadav said the mainstream political establishment in the country was working against the people and had no interest in protecting them against the forces of globalisation, exploitation and communalism. “All political parties are irrelevant for social transformation,” he added.
Mr. Yadav affirmed that the United Progressive Alliance Government’s insistence on signing the Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement was a small instance of India losing its sovereignty.
He regretted that the political parties fighting among themselves on the deal were indifferent to this basic issue.
The activists of Lok Rajnitik Manch and National Alliance of People’s Movements will stage a demonstration outside the Parliament in New Delhi on the day the UPA Government seeks the vote of confidence.
As many as 13 groups have already expressed their willingness to join the Manch and launch a mass awareness campaign for “political awakening”.
The Manch leaders said the political intervention by the newly floated body would be “as direct as possible”.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/07/14/stories/2008071454380500.htm