Three Cheers to Lok Paritran


THis is an article by prabhu karthik(http://expertdabbler.blogspot.com/)

When myself and my friend and colleague Karthik Shankaran decided to go for a walk in Elliots beach on saturday evening, never did we imagine that we would be campaigning for a political party from the next day. But that was precisely what we ended up doing. That saturday evening, we came face to face with Santhanagopalan Vasudev, one of Lok Paritran’s founder members and one who is contesting this assembly elections from Mylapore constituency and Mr. Srikanth, a Bangalore based legal adviser to the party. We got to read Santhanagopalan’s election manifesto leaflets and this was so different from the ‘free everything except wife and children’ offered by other political bigwigs. For the first time, somebody was talking about quality healthcare to those living below poverty line through group insurance schemes. We just got curious and wanted to talk to him about his expectations in this elections and his long term ideas for Tamil Nadu and this country vis-à-vis Lok Paritran. Santhanagopalan had a few visitors (while he was canvassing in the beach) and so Srikanth came forward to answer our queries. The following are some of the points emerged.
The party is expremely positive about its prospects in Mylapore, T Nagar and Mudugulathur(Ramnad District). And this was well beyond their wildest expectations when they decided to contest in this elections sometime back.
This is not a group which would pack its bags and return back to the United States after this election. They are well aware of the hardships involved in starting a political party and contesting elections. If they just wante to flirt with politics, they would've rather contested as independent candidates
They are eyeing the Gujarat elections in 2007 and the Delhi assembly polls in 2008. This TN election is to gain visibility and acceptance among the electorate by virtue of their policies.
They are very clear and prepared on what to expect and the obstacles they may have to face from other well established political parties.
They realize that they may not have solutions to all the problems faced by the people but are determined to find out the solutions and are keen to implement them sincerely.Srikanth, when questioned about how he encounters people who have doubts about their long term plans has this to say, "Sure when we go for donations, there are people who say 'How do i know you will be around?' and i always respond, 'Fine, i will come to you after the elections'. Srikanth requested us to take up some volunteer work. Since the following day was a Sunday, myself and Karthik decided to do some door-to-door campaigning. We were asked to come to Besant Nagar terminus at around 10:15 in the morning. I was really curious to find out the kind of volunteers who would accompany us.

(A bunch of Lok Paritran workers)But the kind of people who turned up made me feel optimistic about India’s prospects. Now it’s not often that you find software engineers working for a political party for free not to mention young college girls involved in door-to-door campaign in that soaring heat. We, along with our customary white Lok Paritran T-shirts, were the cynosure of all eyes.The group of yellow T Shirt clad folks who were doing election work for DMK were no match for our spirits and enthusiasm. There is a world of difference between a bunch of crowd who do it for money and people who do it for a cause.There was about 12 of us at the beginning. We’d splitted into 2 of six each. We started with CPWD quarters and covered areas like BENCO Colony etc in about an hour and half. We knocked in almost each and every door in those two areas.The response varied from mildly amused to overwhelmingly positive. Many of them had read about Lok Paritran (thanks to Sudhish)One maami countered me like this“Yaaru indha IIT pasanga ellam arambichurukele, andha katchiya?”Me, thinking she would appreciate us, nodded eagerly “Ama maami”“Ungalukku ellam vera velaye illaya?”Now, I did not expect this question. Maami continued, “Padikara vayasile padikama, ipdi suthindu irundha enna artham?Unga appa amma ellam onnum solla maataala?”“Ellam padichu mudichavaa dhaan maami!”Maami did not let me continue“Nee enna panrey ?”“Naan software la irukken”“Katchi arambichurukaale? Ava ellam”“Ellam padichuttu america ellam poittu, thirumba vandhirukka maami”Now, Maami was relieved.“App seri. Naan neenga ellam padikumbodhey idhellam pan relo nu nenachen”Ahaa!.There were quite a few instances where people visibly let out their frustrations with the two main parties who have been ruling and ruining Tamil Nadu for the past 30 years.“Koncham munadiye arambichuruka koodadha pa?” was another common refrain from the voters.Another encounter I will remember was one former Vice-chancellor of some university who has written a leaflet about whom to vote for. He handed me that as soon as I handed Lok Paritran’s leaflet. All in all, I would say, a very interesting experience. Karthik was much more active than me, in that I had to return home that noon to meet another friend and fellow blogger who also happens to be a close friend of my once close friend :D(I’ll give the link after I get his permission:D)Santhanam has visited some slums around Mylapore and the response, I hear, has been overwhelmingly positive.The message is loud and clear. Lok Partitran is here with some seriously good intentions and a beginning has been made in Tamil Nadu. If they continue and if we encourage them and support them, Tamil Nadu and India can look up for some visible change for the better in 10-15 years time. It is in our hands as much as it is in Lok Paritran’s. I belong to Tambaram constituency, where Lok Paritran does not contest. Here I am planning to cast my vote on “Murasu” next Monday. This is not because I am a great fan of Vijaykanth. But I am tired of seeing these two principal parties who have ruined Tamil nadu for the past 30 years. I don’t have the patience to put up with this bunch of jokers anymore.IMPORTANTIn another note, Lok Paritran is looking for volunteers. They have plans to take up a small rally in two-wheelers in and around some parts of Chennai where it will not be feasible to go door-to door campaigning. Folks, who are in Chennai and who can come along in their bikes can please contact Karthik at 98405 25103 right away.