Power to the people - Yes, this is what the members of the Federation of RMV Resident Welfare Associations in ward no 100 of the City have decided to make a reality, no matter what it takes. 

The residents are contemplating putting up their own candidate for contesting the corporator’s post. They believe that they need a representative who is one of their own. They aver that only such a candidate will be an answer to all their woes: From ushering in transparency to providing better roads, lighting and water.

The decision appears to be the result of a realisation that no mainstream politician can be expected to deliver what he or she promises. Indifference to people’s plight and lack of initiative in pursuing developmental projects are idiosyncrasy of the entire class of politicians, they found.

The residents’ associations have decided to choose the candidate after carefully studying the aspirants’ background, social setting and academic qualifications. Once the candidate is selected, everything from electioneering to campaign material will be supplied by the residents themselves.

“It’s high time power is returned to the people. No elected representative keeps the people informed about the developmental projects and they lack financial accountability. A voice of the people that’s what we are looking at,” says K N Venugopal, convener of Gandhigiri, a movement that was formed to take forward the initiative.
“This is a people’s initiative. There are no leaders to lead. RWAs will donate funds for the deposit to be paid for filing nomination and propaganda activity,” Venugopal adds.

Gandhigiri hopes to weed out the corrupt and bring in representatives who will work for the welfare of the people.

The Gandhigiri initiative to take the lead in leading the people has evoked positive reactions from several other residents’ associations. They are eager to see how the idea materialises and hope to replicate the same in their area sometime. They don’t rule out the possibility of the candidate being drawn into the mire of corruption though. “Corruption is inevitable as long as he or she works for the welfare of the people. We need a leader who will be transparent and not indulge in gimmicks and cheap stunts to get to the top,” says C R Venkatesh, a member of the Silver Oak Residents Association in J P Nagar. He is in favour of choosing a friendly and responsible candidate who return to the people and take criticism in his stride.  

R Mukherjee of the Neighbourhood Civic Movement in Koramangala thinks the person who is contesting elections must have mass appeal and not just the support of a few residents living around the area. He hasn’t ruled out the idea altogether but is not exactly enamoured by it.

K P Abraham, president of Residents' Welfare Association Bangalore East (REWABE), hopes to replicate the idea of RMV residents someday. He says more than 80 per cent of the people living in his area don’t know who the corporator is and haven’t seen him.

“We need a familiar face who is accountable and delivers on time. This is one project that’s worth following up. We don’t need representatives who spend the better part of their time and money distributing liquor in slums to gather votes,” says Abraham.

Dr S Subramanya, Commissioner of BBMP thinks it doesn’t matter whether the candidate is from a resident welfare association or is independent as long as he does good work. “It’s a democratic setup and the people have to the freedom to put up a candidate of their choice. Most often the corporator of a particular area is known to the residents living there,” he says. 

P R Ramesh, former Mayor of the City is not too thrilled about the idea. He says, “instead of floating their own candidate, the resident associations should exploit the elected leader and get the best out of him,” and adds, “the ward committees look into the developmental projects in the area. They are effective and work in a decentralised fashion. People could approach these committees for help.”