Party Manifestos reflect Cues from People's Demands
Lysa John
Party Manifestos reflect cues from People’s Demands
Dear Friends,
In a seeming vindication of the extensive pre-election mobilization and advocacy efforts undertaken by civil society groups networks across the country, several demands raised through our collective efforts have been reflected in the Election Manifestos released by the CPI, Congress and CPI (M).
We do believe that this reflection of considerations in the statement of intent of national political parties serves as reassurance that the people’s political process is still alive and vibrant in the country, and take this opportunity to salute the civil society efforts for political and governance accountability that have been initiated towards the national election process through ADR, CBGA, NAWO, WPC, Jan Manch, Jan Swasth Abhiyan, Lok Satta, Right to Food & Right to Work campaigns, Jaago Re and many other co-travellers.
We hope that the effort made through the All India People’s Manifesto has been able to make a contribution towards underscoring some important issues and are happy to share with you that several priorities from the AIPM Charter have found resonance in the Party Manifestos that have been released over the last week.
Demands that we see reflected in the Party Manifesto of the Indian National Congress (INC) include (a) Political reservation for youth; (b) Economic reservation for women; (c) Promotion of Women’s Entrepreneurship Development through mandatory purchase of women produced products by public agencies; (d) Special protection for women against atrocities committed on caste and communal grounds; (e) Implementation of Police and Judicial Reforms; (f) Zero tolerance for terrorism; and (g) Stringent measures to end female foeticide and underage marriages, and promote the girl child in all spheres of life. The implementation of the SC/ST and Tribal Sub-Plans has also been promised.
Demands for the (a) Stronger implementation of Inter State Migration Act and (b) Creation of a special support package for working women are demands that we are happy to see reflected in the Party Manifesto of the Communist Party of India – Marxist [CPI-M], which has also committed itself to the stronger implementation of the Forest Rights Act and introduction of legislation for the Unorganized Sector.
We also note that the Community Party of India (CPI) has reinforced the demands made in our Memorandum on the Right to Education Bill, while also committing to implement an Urban Employment Guarantee Act. All parties have committed to Upgrading of facilities in local health centers and schools to ensure quality services. The Right to Education Act and increased investment to for health & education have been emphasized by the CPI and CPM, with the latter also committing to increase expenditure for health upto 5% of the GDP.
While celebrating these small successes, we also believe that this is time for a critical assessment of the new promises that have been made and the agenda that needs to be set for the post-election governance agenda. You will be hearing from us shortly in this regard and we look forward to your continued enthusiasm and engagement with this effort.
In solidarity,
Wada Na Todo Abhiyan
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Wada Na Todo Abhiyan
C-1/E, 2nd Floor, Green Park Extension
New Delhi 110 001 INDIA
Tel: 91-11-46082371 to 74; Fax: 46082372
in...@wadanatodo.net / www.wadanatodo.net