LRS: Empowering the People, Enabling Change! Empowering You!

1. LRS: Empowering the People, Enabling Change! Empowering You! An introduction to LRS: www.lokraj.org.in

2. LRS: Lok Raj Sangathan – www.lokraj.org.in • LRS spearheads the movement to take political power out of the hands of the exclusive elite where it rests now, and vest it in the hands of the people, where it rightfully belongs • LRS is neither a party that wants to keep power in its own hands, nor is it a non-political organisation. • It is a mechanism for people from different walks of life and in different regions to unite irrespective of differences in caste, region or political affiliation and prepare to become the rulers and decision-makers in society. • The vision of LRS is a system in which people do not put parties in power, but parties work to keep the people in power.

3. Government & Economic policy serves this elite ruling minority. In today’s Representative Democracy the majority of people are given a pre-set “choice” of agendas which are dictated by parties sponsoredby the elite ruling minority. The working majority are disempowered from politically organising, formulating their own agenda and selecting their own candidates – candidates selected by the elite parties enjoy all kinds of privileges including symbols. Power is held by those in the minority ruling elite to dictate the agenda and sponsorpolitical representationfor their own interests An ordinary working person does not enjoy the right to be elected, only the right to vote for one of the elite parties A very small elite in Indian society takes major decisions, using money and muscle power, that affect the lives of over 100 crore people An Elite Ruling Minority Politicians In today’s “Representative Democracy”… Top down control Government Judiciary, Police, etc Pubic elections merely select a pre-dictated agenda. Indian People Majority

4. The Excluded Majority • Society is made up of people who generally belong to a common interest group: • like students, wage and salary earners, women, youth, elderly, farmers, other small entrepreneurs and traders…called “collectives”. • each with their own problems, issues and solutions; • various collectives in society are excluded from decision making power in “representative democracy” • Propertied classes form their parties and compete for power, while working people are expected to play a political role only on voting day • Collectives do not have any mechanism to control their representatives Indian People Majority

5. Lok Raj Sabhas & Samitis Agenda Agenda Common Agenda Agenda For Lok Raj… • Constituency Committees should be established to enable the People to: • Approve and reject candidates proposed by people’s organizations active in that constituency, ensuring that the final list of candidates has the approval of the electorate • Set the agenda by proposing legislation and policy changes for consideration by the elected legislative bodies. • Recall elected representatives at any time, if they do not perform. Mechanisms for accountability and recall by the people. Mechanisms for “Accountability” and “Recall”. Government Merely implements the peoples’ dictate; Judiciary, Police, etc Implement the political agenda. Indian People Majority

6. LRS: “Direct Democracy” • Those who vote do not hand over all power to those elected; they retain crucial rights after casting their vote • Those elected are answerable to those who elected them, and all those elected have equal responsibility for implementing the people’s agenda, without splitting up into ruling and opposition camps • Those who legislate will also have the responsibility to execute Renewal of Democracy Indian People Majority

7. Lok Raj Sabhas & Samitis Agenda Agenda Agenda Agenda LRS: “Direct Democracy” • Thus the direction of society will be set by the people as a whole, not by a tiny minority as is the case now • Such a political process will ensure that what gets implemented is in the interests of the majority and not in the narrow interest of a super-rich minority Mechanisms for accountability and recall by the people. Mechanisms for “Accountability” and “Recall”. Government Merely implements the peoples’ dictate; Judiciary, Police, etc Implement the political agenda. Indian People Majority

8. LRS has been working at the grass-roots to build local samitis (committees) in villages, colonies, campuses, etc, to enable the people to demand and defend their rights, overcoming divisions of caste, religion and party affiliations. LRS has actively participated in national, state and local elections in recent years by supporting candidates selected by the people - Popularizing the program of Lok Raj LRS is networking with a wide range of people’s organizations and individual activists, who share common aims. LRS has established regional branches in several states and cities across India. LRS intervenes actively in ongoing debates on political reform. Example – Open letter on the Representation of the People (Amendment) Bill, 2008 http://www.lokraj.org.in/?q=articles/statements/open-letter-representation-people-amendment-bill-2008 Preparing people for the Era for Lok Raj

9. Join us – Lokraj.org.in “Vesting Sovereignty in the People is the Only way Forward!” • LRS (www.lokraj.org.in) is your weapon in establishing direct democratic control and driving the movement. • Connect with others of similar interests …get the truth from people at the grass-roots and front line. • People’s Journalism: send your photos of issues/protests from your area. • Use the discussion boards, post your comments, communicate! • E-mail links to your friends and colleagues • Raise awareness of issues by posting links to LRS on other web sites. • Use our Chat centres, Petitions, Vote on issues and more. • Organise for action. • Send letters to parliament representing people's interest • Empower yourself – Join us today! • Registration is FREE! • www.lokraj.org.in • info@lokraj.org.in