Q1: You are standing as people's candidate. As per the Representation of People Act (RPA) – it categorises candidates as those belonging to recognised parties, registered parties or independents. How are you different from these candidates?

The candidates of recognised and registered parties get their tickets from their respective parties. Some independent candidates want to do something for the society; they have personal aspirations that motivate them to enter the election arena. I am unique in this respect that my name has been proposed by various people's organizations. A far as the exiting law is concerned there is no provision for people to select their candidates. In that sense I am different from the categories defined by existing law.

Q2- Why do you put so much stress on people selecting their candidates?

As per the existing party dominated political system various parties select their candidates and impose them on the people. Thus the candidates who get tickets from parties are obliged towards their party high-command, and not to the people. All the power is vested in the hands of the parties and people are completely deprived of any power. What we are demanding is that people should select their candidates from amongst themselves, put them up for election irrespective of what political ideology he or she professes. Whether it is election to corporation, state assembly or for parliament, people should have the decisive say in selecting their candidate, and not the political parties.

Q3: What the 5 main issues you will focus upon?

I am contesting from South Delhi constituency. The problems of the people of this constituency are essentially similar to the problems of the people of rest of India. Livelihood, unemployment, basic amenities like water, health and education are the main issues I will be focusing on.

Q4: In what way will your policies be different from those of the parties of the ruling class?

All the existing big political parties essentially serve the interest of the ruling capitalist class. Policies are framed as per the wishes and dictates of the big bourgeoisie. As per the political process that we are proposing, people will make policies as per their needs. Whether it is water, education or health, people will decide how to fulfill these needs. This will be done through lok raj samitis constituted at various levels. The real issue is to enable people to rule themselves. In our process people will have a decisive say in policy-making as well as implementation.

Q-5: In case you get elected, what will be your first step?

My first task will be to establish lok raj samitis in places where people live and places they work. I will consult them as to how they want to fulfill their needs. For example, people will be consulted on how the MP fund is to be utilized. This will be decided by the lok raj samitis of this constituency. Our main thrust will be on how to organise these samitis, strengthen them, how to pressurize the officials to fulfill the needs of the people and enable people to take their own decisions, so that we all move forward in the direction of lok raj.

Q-6: The supporters of the existing system claim that this system is the best system of democracy. RPA also favors big parties against small parties and the independents. What is your opinion on this?

The existing political system and political process have been designed in the interest of the big bourgeoisie and suits political parties like Congress and BJP, who defend their interests. Although they claim that anyone can stand for election, in reality, the nomination fee itself is so high that no ordinary workers can dare to stand for election. Small parties and candidate are further handicapped by the expenses on campaigning. TV and Radio time is given to big political parties for free. It is true that this system is suited to the requirement of big bourgeoisie and their parties. The system that benefits the rich minority cannot at the same time be in the interest of the working people, because it only through the loot and plunder of blood and toil of the workers that the capitalists extract profits and strengthen their state. We are talking of direct democracy, where the parties will not act as middleman, between people and political power.

Q-7: Does this mean that there should be no political parties? And if they are required, what role must they play in the political process?

I am not against the political parties per se. But the aim of most of the existing political parties is to come to power in the name of people for their own self-interest. We are against this. As per the new political process the role of the political party is to empower the people and enable them to rule themselves. I am extremely happy that CGPI is one such party, that is working to empower people and I am proud to be a member of this party.

Q-8: Who are the forces who have supported your candidature?

A large number of people were present during the selection process. Activist and leaders of CGPI, LRS, HNES, PMS and many other people organizations and many other independent candidates supported my candidature. The latter said that they also want to follow the same path that I am following. Trade unions, women's organizations, youth organizations and many other people are ready to adopt the political alternative we are presenting.

Q-9: You have released an affidavit, giving an undertaking that if do not work as per the wishes of the people of the constituency, they will have the right to recall you. But there is no such provision in the existing law. Then why should people take this affidavit seriously?

This is a very important question. The crucial point is that how doe we ensure that the candidate who gets elected can be held accountable to the people of the constituency, and if he or she does not work as per the decision of the people, people must have right to recall the elected candidate. We have asserted this in earlier election campaigns too. Many people have pointed out that there is no such law to enforce this. We want that such a law is made and is applicable to all candidates. We want to ensure that those who are elected are accountable to the people and can be recalled before the end of the term, if people wish so.

Q-10: You are also a communist! Which means you are partisan to the working class and want to establish the rule of working class. You also talk about people's power. Do you not see a contradiction in this? Earlier too, during the MCD elections many people who have nothing to do with communism worked together with you. Can you elaborate on this?

 Many people have asked this question. Yes, I am a communist! There are many ideologies in the society and communism is also one of these ideologies. Under the existing system of representative democracy in India, divisions are created by the bourgeoisie amongst people in various ways, including on the basis of so-called ideological differences. As a communist I believe that the root of all problems today is the existing capitalist system. It is only the working class that can overthrow capitalism and establish socialism. To achieve this objective, the working class will have to build alliance with peasants, toilers and all the oppressed people. I firmly believe that all those who are being exploited and oppressed in the present system will be happy to build lok raj and will agree with my proposal, and will extend their and participate in the campaign. As you mentioned this happened during the MCD election and again during Delhi Assembly election, where I was selected as people's candidate, and is happening again now.

Q-11: In your opinion what is the main problem in the present political process?

The main problem is that people do not have any control over those who hold political power. People do not have any role to play in the decision making.

Q-12: What are the problems a working class candidate like you has to face in participating in these elections?

There is immense psychological pressure. The entire state machinery from election commission, to police to judiciary, all have a negative attitude towards such people's' candidate. But this does not man that we should not fight. The issue is not whether one loses or wins in the election. It is true that in the existing party-dominated political process it is very difficult for working class candidate to contest and win. But I have come forward as the candidate of the working class. All the political parties know what our aim is and they respect us for that.

Q-13: How will the government of workers and peasants solve the problems people are facing?

There are basic problems. The first task of the government of workers and peasants will be to make sure that all the basic needs of the people are fulfilled. If there is lack of financial resources we will execute a moratorium on debt repayment. The corporate houses will be taxed heavily. We will confiscate black money. Expenses on the armed forces, that is more often than not used against our own people, will be cut down. Livelihood, housing, healthcare and education will be declared as rights with enforcing mechanisms to ensure that they cannot be violated under any pretext. There will be no discrimination any anybody on the basis of ideology, party, religion, caste, gender or region. We will work towards strengthening the unity between the working class and peasantry.