Postcards from vexed voters cry out for a cleaner system

With this note was attached the sample of the letter Shourie wanted sent to the political parties. And in no uncertain terms the letter states that “people will not vote for any person who has a criminal record, who has been involved in any allegation of corruption, who gives the impression of indulging in excessive expenditure for winning election, who has been involved in fracturing and manoeuvering of political parties, and who in general has an unimpressive record of public service”.

The terms laid down by one man have today converted into the demands of at least 500 people, with more being added to the list every day. “When I received my issue of the journal, I saw in the letter by Shourie a chance to do something. I immediately contacted some of my friends and they contacted theirs. We had 40 signatures within no time and have personally gone and delivered them to the party offices,” says Mona Alburquerque, an aged resident of Vasant Vihar.

Once the initial work was done, this group of people started looking for ways of getting others involved. Knowing that a many would not take the trouble of making copies of the letter and posting them to the parties, they decided to open shop. “We have started organising signature campaigns and have even put up a page on the internet, where all one has to do is follow the link. Fliers are going to be the next step,” explains Ratan Prabha, a floriculturist.

The enthusiasm caught on and soon Jawaharlal Nehru University students were lining up to sign the letter. “Very few people went through the entire letter. They were just so glad to be a part of the whole thing. Everybody is frustrated with the way things are going and for most, signing that letter was a way of reassuring themselves,” says Sabyasachi, an M Phil student.To highlight the concern of the youth, they modified the original letter a bit, adding: “We, the youth, would like to ensure that we come of age in a country in which we can hold our head high.” And to show that it was not just a bunch of Delhi students speaking, they signed their names, mentioning the state they come from.

“This is exactly the kind of response I was hoping for when I wrote to all the members across the country. Political parties must realise that people will no longer put up with their antics. This country needs change,” says H D Shourie, the man who started it all.

Those interested in joining the chain can surf the internet at:
geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/4119/common.html. Search for Amman, Madan or Yahoo and follow the link.