Interview with people's candidate Bijju Nayak from South Delhi constituency-continued

Q7: Does this mean that there should be no political parties? And if they are required, what role they must play in the political process?

A: I am not against the political parties per se. But the aim of most of the existing political parties is to come to power in the name of people for their own self-interest. We are against this. As per the new political process the role of the political party is to empower the people and enable them to rule themselves. I am extremely happy that CGPI is one such party, that is working to empower people and I am proud of being a member of this party.

Q8: Which forces have supported your candidature?

A: A large number of people participated in the selection process. Activists and leaders of CGPI, LRS, HNES, PMS and many other people organizations and many other independent candidates supported my candidature. They said that they also want to follow the same path that I am following. Trade unions, women's organizations, youth organizations and many other people are ready to adopt the political alternative we are presenting.

Q9: You have filled an affidavit, giving an undertaking that if you do not work as per the wishes of the people of the constituency, they have the right to recall you. But there is no such provision in existing law. Then why should people take this affidavit seriously?

A: This is a very important question. The crucial point is that how do we ensure that the candidate who gets elected be held accountable to the people of the constituency, and if he or she does not work as per the decision of the people, people must have right to recall the elected candidate. We have asserted this in earlier elections also. Many people have pointed out that there is no such law to enforce this. We want that such a law is made and is applicable to all candidates. We want to ensure that those who are elected are accountable to the people and can be recalled before the end of the term, if people wish so.

Q10: You are also a communist! Which means you are partial towards the interest of the working class and want to establish the rule of working class. You also talk about people’s power. Don't you see a contradiction in this? Earlier also during the MCD elections many people who have nothing to do with communism worked together with you. Can you elaborate on this?

A: Many people have asked this question. Yes, I am a communist! There are many ideologies in society and communism is also one among them. Under the existing system of representative democracy in India, divisions are being created by the bourgeoisie amongst people in various ways, including on the basis of so called ideological differences. As a communist I believe that the root of all problems today is the existing capitalist system. It is only the working class that can overthrow capitalism and establish socialism. To achieve this objective the working class will have to build an alliance with peasants, toilers and all the oppressed people. I firmly believe that all those who are being exploited and oppressed or are marginalised in the present system will be happy to build lok raj and will agree with my proposal, and will extend their support and participate in the campaign. As you mentioned this happened during the MCD election and again during Delhi Assembly election, where I was selected as people's candidate, and it is happening again now.

Q11: In your opinion what is the main problem in the present political process?

A: The main problem is that people do not have any control over those who hold political power. People do not have any role to play in decision making.

Q12: What are the problems a working class candidate like you have to face while participating in these elections?

A: There is immense psychological pressure. The entire state machinery from election commission, to police to judiciary, all have a negative attitude towards such people's' candidates. But this does not mean that we should not fight. The issue is not whether one loses or wins in the election. It is true that in the existing system it is very difficult for a working class candidate to contest and win. But I have come forward as the candidate of the working class. The candidates of other political parties know what our aim is and they respect us for that.

Q13: How will the government of workers and peasants solve the problems people are facing?

A: There are basic problems. The first task of the government of workers and peasants will be to make sure that all the basic needs of the people are fulfilled. If there is lack of financial resources we will put moratorium on debt payment. The corporate houses will be taxed heavily. We will confiscate black money. Expenses on the armed forces, that is more often than not used against our own people, will be cut down. Livelihood, housing, healthcare and education will be declared as rights with enforcing mechanisms to ensure that they cannot be violated under any pretext. There will be no discrimination of anybody on the basis of ideology, party, religion, caste, gender or region. We will work towards strengthening the unity between the working class and peasantry.