Q: Why did you decide to stand for election to parliament?

A: As you know, I am a leader of the Ladaku Garment Mazdoor Union. We are trying to establish a new culture in this Union - we leaders, who are more experienced, try to educate the members about their rights and about how the owners can be fought. We do everything with consultation. All the important decisions - about how to fight, when to compromise and how much - they are all taken after discussion in the General Body of the unit in question. At the same time we educate the members about other issues as well - economic, political and social issues that affect them directly and indirectly. "Leaders should be accountable to the members" is our principle. We have discussed many a time that the question of accountability is very important not only to run a Union, but also to run the country. When the General Elections came up, some of our members felt that this was a good occasion to take this concept to a wide field by putting up a candidate and they urged me to stand.

At the same time, the Lok Raj Sangathan (LRS) to which I belong, decided that wherever possible we would put up candidates selected by committees of the people themselves, and not by the High commands of this or that party, so as to popularize our program. The candidates would be accountable to these committees.
In one of the meetings called by LRS, it was decided that we would put up a candidate from Mumbai. My name was proposed, and unanimously accepted. I had no choice really (Laughs).

Q: Which organizations are supporting you?

A: The Lok Raj Sangathan, Ladaku Garment Mazdoor Sangh, Ladaku Mazdoor Union, Kamgar Ekta Chalwal, Purogami Mahila Sangathan, the Hind Naujawan Ekta Sabha, Jan Jagruti Abhiyaan,  and the Communist Ghadar Party. The General Bodies of all these organisations have enthusiastically supported me. Other organisations are also coming forward with their support.

Q: Is your campaigning different from the candidates of established parties or those backed with big money?

A: The campaign is still to get off the ground, as there are so many formalities that an independent candidate has to fulfill. However, we have made our plans. We don't have any paid "volunteers". People in the campaign committee are contributing time, energy as well as money. They will have to take leave for a few days and participate in the campaign. We plan to raise money from the electorate itself, and from the various organisations of the people. We will use leaflets, floor meetings, street corner meetings, road shows. Some of our people are attempting to make a small film. Some youth are trying to put up a street play.

Q: What is the thrust of your manifesto?

A: Indian society is divided into two classes. One is the super rich, the ruling class. The other is the class of all the toiling people. One can have a program either to make the India of the ruling class richer, or one can have a program to improve the lives of all the toiling people, the workers, peasants, the women, youth, adivasis, minorities, disadvantaged sections, and so on. i.e. the majority. This India of the majority can benefit only by acting against the drive of the rich to get richer. My program is for the class of toilers. It recognises the need to reorient the economy from safeguarding the super profits of the super rich to benefiting the people at large.

Moreover it clearly recognises the need for a fundamental change in the present political system and process, where the people have no power. We need to sow and nurture the seeds of the Lok Raj of the future. To this end, building committees of people, Lok Raj Samitis, who will hold the representative accountable to them in every way, is an essential first step.

Q: You have given an affidavit to the electorate of your constituency. Can you tell us about it and why have you done it?

A: Before the elections there is a big hype about "Matadar Raja" (the voter is king). It is made out as though the people decide everything in India. Nothing could be further from the truth. People know that the vote is all they have. After that none of the representatives, by and large, bother abut them or heed them. They are answerable to the High Command of their respective parties, as well as, to the money bags who have funded them. This is utterly wrong. Accountability should be towards the electors. But the present political process serves to keep them totally away from power. How do we change this?

As a step in that direction, the Lok Raj Sangathan has urged the candidates chosen by the people to give them affidavits granting them the right to recall if found unsuitable. I think this is a very good step and needs to be replicated everywhere.

Q: People’s candidates seldom get elected to the Parliament in our country. What are you hoping to achieve by standing in these elections?

A: It is not just a question of winning the elections. If I win, I will certainly raise the voice of the people in parliament; the media will report some of it. But by itself, that will not be enough, because the way the system works, the ruling party or coalition, as well as the opposition, consists of representatives of the ruling class. That is why you see that as far as the essentials go, there is no difference between them.

My standing is a part of the fight to overhaul this political process. Win or lose, I will continue to fight against the attacks of the ruling class and for the people's agenda. Participating in elections at this stage is like opening the door a crack, to let in the light. Most of the people have no hope, and that is why they do not vote. I want to carry the message that people have to get politically active, fight for a new politics, not just wait for a messiah or magician.
 
I have found that standing for a good program does enthuse people. I have got a good response wherever people know about my candidacy.

Q: Do you have any plans beyond the election?

A: From my early twenties, I have been fighting for the rights of garment workers and then for all types of contract workers. As my political understanding grew, I realised that the problems faced by contract workers is one symptom of the disease that affects our society. The symptom will get cured if the root is pulled out. I have to fight for a new vision, and I have done that.

Q: What is this vision that you speak of?

A: My vision is of a society in which there is no form of exploitation, terror, oppression, and inequalities and no politics that divide the people and limit their role to that of being vote banks. The most important fight - one in which I am actively involved - is for renewal of the political process – so as to enable the people to become the rulers and decision makers regarding all important affairs of society. An important goal is to replace the existing system of democracy with a new system and political process. Any candidate who wishes to stand for election must be selected by and answerable to the people of the Constituency, through the Lok Raj Samitis. Through such samitis, people can propose laws and recall those elected at any time, when they are found unsuitable.
 
We have to organise working people to play an active and leading role in replacing the existing exploitative system with one that guarantees prosperity and protection for all citizens without discrimination or exception.
 
Q: What will you do for the people of your constituency, if elected?

A: My constituency has a large number of workers living in ‘chawls’ and slums. At one time this area was called ‘girangaon’ – textile city- but all the mills have been closed down, workers have been thrown out of their jobs and their homes. Permanent jobs have turned contractual. Garment workers are worse off – they work on piece rate only. I want to fight for all of them so their jobs are secure and permanent; their homes cannot be taken away or demolished under any excuse; they get all dues and compensation, at least as per law. I will fight for water and ‘safsafai’ (cleanliness) for all slums and chawls in my area. I will insist that ration shops provide enough good quality tandul (rice), wheat and rockel (kerosene) to everybody who needs these necessities.
 
I will organize people against organizations and their leaders creating ‘phut’ (divisions) among people and creating fights between themselves. A large number of Muslims of my constituency have suffered. Recently, people from North India were targeted.

I will spend all the funds available to me after consulting my constituency members and give them an account of money spent.