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

Q1: You are standing as people's candidate. As per the Representation of People's Act – they categorise the candidates as belonging to recognised Parties, registered parties and independents. How are you different from these candidates?

A: The candidates of recognised and registered parties get their tickets from their respective parties. Some independent candidates want to do something for the society, at the same time they have some personal aspirations that forces them to enter the election arena. I am unique in this respect in that my name has been proposed by various people's organizations. A far as the existing law is concerned there is no provision for people to select their candidates. In that sense I am different from the categories defined by existing law.

Q2: Why do you put so much stress on people selecting their candidates?

A: As per the existing party dominated political system various parties select their candidates and impose them on the people. Thus the candidates who get tickets from parties are obliged towards their party high-command, not to the people. All the power is vested in the hands of the parties and people are completely deprived of any power. What we are demanding is that people should select their candidates amongst themselves, put them up for election irrespective of what political ideology he or she professes. Whether it is election to corporation, state assembly or for parliament, people should have decisive say in selecting candidates, and not the political parties.

Q3: What are the 5 main issues you will focus upon?

A: I am contesting from South Delhi constituency. The problems of the people of this constituency are essentially similar to the problems of the people of rest of India. Livelihood, unemployment, basic amenities like water, health and education are the main issues I will be focusing on.

Q4: In what way will your policies be different from those of the parties of the ruling class?

A: The major political parties contesting elections essentially serve the interest of the ruling capitalist class. Policies are framed as per the wishes and dictates of the big bourgeoisie. As per the political process that we are proposing people will take decisions to serve their needs. Whether it is water, education or health, people will decide how to fulfill these needs. This will be done through lok raj samitis constituted at various levels. The real issue is to enable people to rule themselves. In our process, people will have decisive say in decision making as well as implementation of those decisions.

Q5: In case you get elected, what will be your first step?

A: My first task will be to establish lok raj samitis in places where people live and places they work. I will consult them as to how they want to fulfill their needs. For example, people will be consulted on how the MP fund is to be utilized. This will be decided by the lok raj samitis of this constituency. Our main thrust will be on how to organise the samitis, strengthen them, how to pressurize the officials to fulfill the needs of the people and enable people to take their own decisions, so that we all move forward in the direction of lok raj.

Q6: The supporters of the existing system claim that this system is the best system of democracy. RPA also favors big parties against small parties and the independents. What is your opinion on this?

A: The existing political system and political process has been designed in the interest of the big bourgeoisie and suits parties like Congress and BJP, who defend their interests. Although they claim that anyone can stand for election, in reality, the nomination fee itself is so high that no ordinary worker can dare to stand for election. Small parties and candidates are further handicapped by the huge expenses required for campaigning. TV and Radio time is given to big political parties for free. It is true that this system is suited to the requirement of big bourgeoisie and their parties. The system that benefits the rich minority cannot at the same time be in the interest of the working people, because it only through the loot and plunder of blood and toil of the workers that the capitalists extract profits and strengthen their state. We are talking of direct democracy, where the parties will not act as middleman, between people and political power. ...contd