HYDERABAD: As voting day looms large and we have all made up our minds as to who to vote for, let’s spare a thought for the smaller parties trying to make their mark in these elections.
According to the Election Commission, there are more than 30 political outfits, some of them debutantes, contesting in the first phase of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. These parties have different ideologies and principles, some of them really quirky.
Pyramid Party is one such organisation which was founded in 1999 by Brahmashri Patriji. The party is influenced by the teachings of Socrates and aims to transform all the people of India into meditating vegetarians and peaceloving people through the electoral process.
The Pyramid Party has been contesting the Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh since 1999 and also registering a gradual increase in votes polled for it.
Says Mega Murali, General Secretary of the party: “We promote the twin concepts of vegetarianism and meditation.
One leads a meaningful life with a peaceful way of living and non-violence.
Though we have not won any seats, we believe that the change is gradual and we will keep trying till we achieve our goals. Our firm belief is that a yogi should be a ruler and our history affirms this fact.” Indian Justice party, founded by Udit Raj, is a party more popular in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. The party’s main ideology is the uplift of Backward Castes, Dalits and minorities. Leo Augustine of Indian Justice Party who is contesting from Patancheruvu Assembly segment says: “Our party has come into existence thanks to the neglect of the downtrodden shown by all the major parties time and again. We are an ally of Lok Jan Shakti party of Ram Vilas Paswan at the Centre. Though we are the underdogs we are campaigning and spreading our message to the people.” Then there is an exclusive all-woman political party with the name United Women’s Front. The party was founded in 2007 and Suman Krishan kant is the national president of the party. Incidentally, she is the wife of Krishan Kant, former Governor of AP. Feels Kant: “We believe in equality. Women are not beggars. I don’t believe in asking for just 33% when women make up for half the population.” United Women Front has fielded Shiraz Khan from the Secunderabad constituency.
Founded by a group of IITians, Bharat Punarnirman Dal, is a political party which swears by the power of youth. The party says that encouraging youth to take an active part in politics will change the face of the country. Says Kishore, an active worker of the party, “We want to bring more youngsters into the political fold. One of our main demands is that the reservation should not be on caste basis but on economical conditions.” He says: “We have the party website where around 2,000 IT professionals enrolled with us.” Narender Kumbala from the party is contesting from the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha seat.
The Muslim League Kerala State Committee is a party which has its roots in the All India Muslim League which advocated the creation of Pakistan in the pre-Independence era. The party, though confined to a few States, is prominent in Kerala. Abdus Sattar of the party is contesting from Secunderabad Parliament constituency.
With so many parties and candidates in the fray, the electoral calculations sure seem to go for a toss adding to the woes of the candidates of prominent parties.
express@epmltd.com
