Praja Pragati Ranga will prosper as an alternate political force in K'taka'

Mangalore, June 3: Alternate political forces that came into picture in the past to form a pro-people government challenging Congress, BJP, and JDS did experience failure. But in Karnataka Praja Pragati Ranga, the state has a formidable political alternative to the existing political system as it encompasses people's representation from a wider section of the society, said Kodihalli Chandrashekhar, President of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and State President of the Karnataka Praja Pragati Ranga.

He was speaking at the regional workers' conference of Karnataka Praja Pragati Ranga in Mangalore on Sunday.

Stating that the entire political system had turned corrupt, Mr. Chandrashekhar said that unless power is transferred to people, change will not come about in society. “More than half of MLAs in Karnataka Assembly are people who should have been behind bars. Political parties have spoiled the procedure of elections through cash and liquor distribution. They create drunkards out of innocent women and youth through their election campaigns. A strong public awakening is the need of the hour”, he said.

Owing to the domination of political parties like Congress, BJP, and JDS, elected representatives turn into the voice of their respective parties instead of being a voice of the section of the society that they are supposed to represent, Mr. Chandrashekhar lamented. The Karnataka Praja Pragati Ranga intends to put an end to this tradition and field candidates that would truly represent the people and the marginalized, he said.

Lolaksha, AHINDA leader and State Convenor, Karnataka Praja Pragati Ranga, in his address said that behind the façade of being the world's largest democracy, successive governments have been ill-treating the backward classes, minorities and marginalized sections of the society. “Pro-people activists' struggle has confined to mere submitting of appeals to elected representatives and Deputy Commissioners which will not solve the problem. The solution lies in transfer of power into the hands of pro-people activists”, he said.

Ilyas Thumbe, State President, Popular Front of India and member of executive board, Praja Pragati Ranga, Abdul Majid Kodlipete, State President of Social Democratic Party of India and Convenor, Praja Pragati Ranga, Venkata Swamy, President, Samata Sainik Dal and member of executive board, Praja Pragati Ranga, R Mohan Raj, State President, DSS (Bhimavada) and member of executive board, Praja Pragati Ranga, were among the dignitaries present non the occasion.