DCP to contest General Elections, Shashi Tharroor the TM & Reforms in Elections
Prasad Sovani
1st April 2014
Toastmasters DCP to contest General Elections, TM Shashi Tharoor and Reforms in Elections
The General Elections 2014 in India are providing news items every day. In the latest development, the Toastmasters District Governor Prasad Sovani, announced formation of a new party that will field candidates in 210 constituencies across India. The party will be called DCP (Development of Communication Party). In a move that has rattled many politicians, the DCP decided to focus on quality (of life) in each constituency.
The other political parties in the fray have become disappointed, disheartened and devastated with this development. One sitting MP said, “I used to get my speeches written and mentored by a Toastmaster. I am not sure if this would continue!”
On a day that had many firsts, DG Sovani announced that there is a need to focus on communication & develop that, so they wanted to join mainstream politics for a while, but they delayed the decision because they were waiting for the approval from WHQ whether they can contest elections as Toastmasters. The California based WHQ allowed individuals running for public offices such as MP / MLA to use the Toastmasters brand as well as to have a party formed of like-minded TMs, on the auspicious day of “Gudhi Padwa” (Indian Lunar New Year).
The names of candidates cleared in the first round are:
(Constituency: Name of Toastmaster, Credentials)
New
Delhi: Deepak Menon, DTM, ID
Varanasi: Punita Singh, DTM, PDG
South Delhi: Vinay Jain, DTM, IPDG
Cuttack: Janaki Prasad Pattanaik, DTM, PDG
Bangalore South: Nagaraja Rao, DTM, RA
Inner Manipur: Romeo Ningombam, District Champ
Howrah: Abdul Rahim, District Champ
Amethi: Any new TM can contest
Managing
Director of Toastmasters International, Sally Newell-Cohen, who is celebrating
her birthday today, announced that more names will be announced in the next
week. “We are trying this for the first time, if it succeeds, we can allow
candidates in other countries as well. We are targeting US elections in 2016
and are experimenting. We are not allowing current trio members to contest,
since they have to focus on their roles as District Officers. Else popular
persons like Prasad, Ritu & Brillian can win from any constituency in Pune,
Mumbai, NCR, Hyderabad or Kolkata”
We are also trying with one by-election in Sri Lanka. DTM, PID Balraj
Arunasalam, will contest from the Sri Lankan constituency called Ambalangoda
Tissamaharama Habaraduwa Dewinuwarabalapitiya Ahangamahungalla Mirissawakwella
Koggaladeniyaya (It
is the name of ONE constituency. You thought these are 7, is it?)
When questioned about Bangalore South, she said that to contest against someone with assets over Rs 7700 Crores(Approx 1.3 billion $), we needed a super rich TM. So we are fielding a Coffee Tycoon against an IT tycoon.
Before
we could question about Varanasi, she said Punita being a lady and a great
orator has a good chance against the other 2 orators and leaders, both males, besides it would give great PR to the movement.
In a surprise move, former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor has decided to join the new party. In a statement issued in Thiruvananthapuram, he said, “I always loved Toastmasters. I joined other parties because Toastmasters did not have a party until now. Since I love oratory, there is no question of joining any other party! I hope to get a ticket from DCP!”
In a joint announcement made in a joint press conference in the evening, alongwith Prasad Sovani, DG District 41 and Kumaran Pethi, DG District 82, the current Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India , V. S. Sampath (CEC) announced sweeping reforms that are possible with Toastmasters being in the fray.
The CEC pointed out following positives from Toastmasters elections:
1. Reformation of District v/s bifurcation of a state: Look at the maturity of Toastmasters when the reformation was debated and finalized. Nobody carried a pepper spray in the District Council meeting and the discussion was held in a friendly manner. Can our MPs learn from this?
2. Speeches for 2 minutes: See how less time is given to the candidates. They simply speak for 2 minutes and yet win elections. On the other hand, our MPs speak for 2 hours and yet cannot convince the other side. Toastmasters brings a fresh perspective to the elections in India.
3. Nomination Committee: I really like this concept, where the members of public get a chance to grill the candidates. CEC is considering the nomination process for General Elections in 2019.
4. Last one out until 50+% majority: In the present set-up, a candidate can be a spoiler, another can win an election by just 15% of votes. We really like the Toastmasters concept where multiple rounds are held until one person emerges victorious with a clear majority! {In Toastmasters elections, the winner has to have more than 50% of the votes polled. If this does not happen in one round, the lowest ranked candidate is out of race & re-polling is conducted in this fashion, until one candidate gets 50+%}
5. Expenditure: Rs 846.67 Crore was the amount the Government spent for 2009 General Elections. The Exchequer spending for 2014 will be 3500 Crores, while the parties will spend 30500 Cr ( approx.5b $). But look at Toastmasters, where you can finish so many elections in one District Council meeting, spending less than 50 $ on photocopying! Also your Area Governors are appointed, rather than elected. Can the Election Commission learn from these elections?
6. No exit polls, instant results: Similarly, Toastmasters do not have any exit polls and the results are declared instantly. Can the Election Commission learn from these elections?
On the other hand, he asked Toastmasters to learn from the Indian Elections on 2 points.1. Declaration of incomes for candidates: We understand that you have some ‘mango’ people (aam aadmi) and some ‘apple’ people (affluent members). But why don’t you make it mandatory to declare incomes to the nomination committee?
2. Proxy voting: The Indian Elections do not allow this. But Toastmasters do! Why don’t you consider stopping this and allow votes only if one is physically present? That way, you will also get more registrations for your conferences! Conference Chair Farida D’Silva was seen smiling in the background when he mentioned this.
Some younger Toastmasters who attended the press conference also mentioned one more thing that Toastmasters can learn from Indian Elections: One unmarried TM who refused to give his name said, “Our elections do not have celebrities. Where are people like Moon Moon Sen, Nagma, Jayaprada, Baichung Bhutia, Mohammed Kaif, Siddhu, Paresh Rawal & Rakhi Sawant in Toastmasters elections?” It is indeed true that you can’t please them all!
The Toastmasters all over the country were busy logging in their renewals as well as their requests for their constituency.
Don't you believe this? Look at the top most line of this mail. Above the bold headline. The truth lies in the eyes of believer -;)
-- Prasad
Prasad Sovani, Distinguished Toastmaster
District Governor 2013-14,
Toastmasters International District 41
Professional Corporate Trainer & Economist,
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Prasad Sovani,
www.poemstrainer.com
Cell +91-98221-93445
Snail Mail: C-1/7, Shiv Villas Apartments,
Off Senapati Bapat Road,
Behind International Convention Centre,
Pune 411016, India
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