Activists to urge CM to change system

More than 150 activists from across the state attended the meeting organised by the Mumbai chapter of NGO India Against Corruption (IAC) at Mahajanwadi hall in Chinchpokli on Sunday.

More than 150 activists from across the state attended the meeting organised by the Mumbai chapter of NGO India Against Corruption (IAC) at Mahajanwadi hall in Chinchpokli on Sunday.

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The core demands that the NGO along with other social activists will make to the chief minister are — independent and empowered Lokayukta for Maharashtra; citizen charter for all the regulatory bodies; right to reject option in upcoming elections; empowerment of gram sabha and mohalla sabhas.

Activists from Nashik, Pune, Aurangabad, Raigad and other districts gave their views on the demands. “These demands have been agreed upon by all the social activists. We will present our demands to the chief minister so that we can bring about a difference in the system,” said Praful Vora, IAC volunteer.

Chandrashekar Rajurkar, an activist from Aurangabad district, said, “Each district has been taken over by some family. Our aim is to break this monopoly by selecting ‘none of the above’ when we vote.”

Besides, the IAC volunteers will also meet all party presidents to request them not to give tickets to tainted candidates. “We will request all party presidents not to give tickets to tainted candidates. If they do so, we will campaign against them in their ward,” said Mayank Gandhi, IAC, Mumbai coordinator.

“We will put forth a proposal by which all party presidents and candidates will give us a written assurance that once elected, they will allow us to conduct a referendum in their wards at the end of every two years,” said Gandhi.

“If 50% people are unhappy, the corporator will get second chance. But after the second referendum too, if there is no change in the result, the corporator or any of family members cannot contest polls for at least seven years,” Gandhi added.