2004 ELECTION LESSONS
GRATITUDE FOR SUPPORTERS – YOUR VOTE WAS NOT WASTED
You perhaps voted because you noticed poverty, poor
services, and Indian women defecating by the roadside half a century after
freedom, because you were ashamed to show your country to your friends,
because you were concerned at old people struggling without state
assistance, because you saw no reward for honesty and hard work, and,
above all, because you were angered by a good country being hijacked by
an alliance of politicians, bureaucrats and contractors. You voted because you
wanted, at least, to register a mild protest instead of sitting around doing
nothing, and because you wanted a glimpse of the challenge to the status quo in
this life time. I thank you for your vote and your trust. It has made it all
worth the while.
Don’t let the mafia which controls this country tell you
that your vote was wasted.
More than 60,000 men and women gave us their vote and the
right to represent them. For an independent candidate without the support of
any faction this was an achievement at the national level. Most so- called
independents are break away candidates from major political parties.
© Your
vote was not wasted.
Many supporters did not vote
because they thought we could never win. Over 8 lakh (52%) of the registered
voters did not vote. They now realize we can cut into the system. We know how
to get the votes. These
silent supporters now see their potential strength. When they meet me they just say
two words, “next time”. Yes, we can defeat the mafia next time just by voting.
© Your vote was not wasted.
Many feared openly supporting an
independent. They realize now that their fear was exaggerated and unreal. Next time they won’t whisper.
They’ll fill their lungs with the campaign song and send it over the
city.
© Your
vote was not wasted.
·
My deep gratitude goes to all who were with me.
·
It goes to the lawyers and those who came to the police
station after the mob attack and the false criminal case filed against me on
the polling day.
·
It goes to the Maharashtra Military Foundation which gave
me the courage to take the campaign to the streets, which made me feel that
India was still my country, that I could access people and talk openly and
without fear about reforming a corrupt establishment.
·
It goes to those who stood beside me in the bastis and
spoke tirelessly for no reward other than the satisfaction of emptying their
anger against a dehumanized system.
·
It goes to those who organized meetings, came out in the
open to campaign and set an example for a class of voters too timid to face the
light.
·
It goes to the teachers who smuggled me into their class
rooms to address their wards.
·
It goes to spirited students, to volunteer administrators
who managed the office and the accounts.
·
It goes to the boys in the bastis who gave their trust to
someone from another world.
·
It goes to the government servants and industrialists whose
names I had promised not to state. Amongst them was a hero who took me to
address his factory workers. In this man I saw no fear.
·
It goes to all these and others whose names would fill many
pages; who have touched our lives. I have many names – I’m still collecting
more.
·
There
were two other fighters. One was a disabled person who organized meetings and
campaigned on crutches, the bravest of us all. The other was a young software
architect from Hyderabad, a stranger who endeared himself to us in one short
afternoon and became a campaign manager. His name was Amit Khanna.
© When you think of
these giants you will know your vote was not wasted.
A copy of the audit report of contributions is
also put on this web site. It is a
voluntary audit, not required by law. More than 19 lakh came into the
election fund. Cheques of Rs. 90,000 that arrived late were returned. All
contributions were by cheque; cash was not accepted. The family gave 3.5 lakhs.
Newspaper advertisements and printing and distributing over 20 lakh
pamphlets/stickers accounted for 81% of the expenditure. I am grateful for the
contributions; to the numerous persons who placed their trust in me. In spite
of this large amount we were not able to reach a population of 30 lakhs, especially
with the second pamphlet/manifesto. Many said later that they were not aware
that I was standing for the election. “Sakal” refused to allow my second
pamphlet to be inserted! “Times of India” does not allow inserts. There is more
awareness about my candidature after the election! And more sympathy after the
defeat!
The losers are those who do nothing, not those who are
defeated. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the time for anger. A time to commit
yourself to good candidates. Not corrupt parties. Enough of analysis and
pontification. To rescue the country from corruption somebody has to enter the
fray. Support those who do. So do become angry.
© You are not a loser because your vote was not wasted.
Perceptive Indians realize that unless we improve our
governance the world will not respect us. Outsiders wonder how Indians function and eat their
breakfast like normal people in the midst of deprivation and corruption. This
is the space in our psyche that the other person cannot decipher. He brands us
as insensitive and selfish. What do these clever Indians teach their children
about the state of their country? About values? About their role? He wonders.
Let’s look at that space within us. What we see around us today is not the
result of karma in the last life; it is our indifference and fear in the
present life. Therefore
when we vote for honesty it gives us a personality that the civilized world
understands.
© Your
vote was not wasted.
|
People ask “What should we do now?” |
The answer
1. Organize more
meetings/speeches 2. Give others
the web site address 3. Send this
note to 100 people 4. If you
have doubts about me or what I stand for, ask me 5. Believe that
the ultimate victory will be ours 6. Then relax
and have a good 2005 |
Our dream was simple. Empower oneself as an MP and organize
a citizens’ movement in Pune to change urban governance and the city. One
person can easily do this. Reform was to be initiated not through parliament
but through citizen participation and judicial intervention. We continue to
dream.
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