Overwhelming response for corporates’ political initiative
After its August 27 report on how a group of corporate heads and professionals are mulling over floating a new political party, Hindustan Times got an overwhelming response from like-minded residents of the Millennium City who wanted to be part of the movement.
After its August 27 report on how a group of corporate heads and professionals are mulling over floating a new political party, Hindustan Times got an overwhelming response from like-minded residents of the Millennium City who wanted to be part of the movement.
Peeved over poor governance in the country and step-motherly treatment meted out to Gurgaon by successive governments, a group of corporate honchos, legal eagles, young HNIs (high net worth individuals) and activists professionals held a meeting on Sunday where they proposed to launch a political party.
They felt that if honchos with scientific management skills and fund raising abilities, can run successful corporations, they could significantly contribute translate the story in the country's political system too.
"When I read the HT story, I could identify with the initiative and immediately wanted to extend my support to the group," said Nishat Khan, who works at the India liaison office of East England-based Northumbria University. Gurgaon resident Khan, who hails from Kolkata, had contested the West Bengal Assembly elections in 2011 as an independent candidate.
Aman Singh, a consultant and publisher of a magazine on security, said, "I read the story with great interest. I want to be a part of this movement as well."
Two senior executives at MNCs told HT on Tuesday, on the condition of anonymity, that a dedicated team would travel to Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru to gather support for the movement.
"We have already gained significant ground in Bengaluru. Our focus is on tier-2 cities and all state capitals," said one of them.
The political outfit is being planned on the lines of left parties, with no president but a steering committee. Also, the group may follow the US model where an intra-party election (primaries) is conducted to select the presidential candidate. The group is also trying to collaborate with people of integrity from bollywood and youth icons.
Support for the movement poured in at HT from varied quarters. Gaurav Sehgal, a senior vice-president with one of the largest export firms in the country based in Gurgaon, wrote, "The article is indeed very encouraging. Please suggest how to get in touch with the group."
Colonel (retd) Raj Singla of the Gurgaon-Manesar Forum of the Haryana MSME Federation also called up the HT correspondent saying any initiative like this is welcome as Gurgaon reels under tremendous neglect.