People have responded favourably to our political message of an alternative to the present system

Interview of Bijju Nayak, people’s candidate from South Delhi Lok Sabha constituency by correspondent of People’s Voice

Correspondent: How did you carry out your election propaganda?

Birju Nayak: We used traditional means for election propaganda. Firstly, we went door to door and made people aware about our politics through the election manifesto. Then, we organized street corner meetings and people listened to our views. We tried to raise money from the people to get media time. We also organized public meetings in various colonies and bastis.

Correspondent: How did the people respond when you went to them?

Birju Nayak: People appreciated our political line with great sincerity. Many working people send their youth to assist our propaganda work. From a hawker to local men, women and youth encouraged us by donating money to our election campaign. It would not be an exaggeration to say that even activists of other political parties have been favourably impressed with our political line and have appreciated it. People have recognized us as part of the political force that presents an alternative to the present system.

In the end, I would like to say that the enthusiasm with which our activists and supporting organizations worked, is our victory. We are satisfied that people have accepted our political line.

Correspondent: What kind of difficulties did you have to face?

Birju Nayak: This is the most important issue since our campaign was fraught with uphill tasks. From filing my nomination to vote counting was full of difficulties. The present electoral system favours the candidates of big capitalist political parties and not the people’s candidates. It treats people merely as voting cattle. What I am saying is that the entire electoral process keeps the people out of politics.

Correspondent: What are your goals in the future?

Birju Nayak: We are planning to wage a struggle for making all basic amenities like water, sanitation, education, health care available to all people in the constituency. We will also take up local issues like demolitions and resettlement.

Secondly, we will expose how in the present system and electoral process, the big political parties serve the narrow interests of the big capitalist owners. We will wage a struggle to bring about a fundamental change.

Thirdly, we will establish Lok Raj samities in the local areas by organizing youth, women and workers of the area. Through this vehicle, we will contribute to establishing the rule of workers and peasants in India.