People's Manifesto People's Manifesto and impact women’s and impact women’s

participation in participation in electionselections

Pradeep BaisakhPradeep Baisakh

Wada Na Todo Abhiyan Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA) (WNTA)

About WNTAAbout WNTA

• A National Campaign of 3000 CSOsA National Campaign of 3000 CSOs• Works on ‘holding the government Works on ‘holding the government

accountable on the promises made accountable on the promises made to the people’to the people’

• Works on MDGs post-2015 Works on MDGs post-2015 development agenda, People’s development agenda, People’s Manifesto and Performance review Manifesto and Performance review of UPA I & IIof UPA I & II

People’s Manifesto People’s Manifesto

• Scope of involvement of a citizen in Scope of involvement of a citizen in electoral process is hugeelectoral process is huge

• It should go beyond a passive voter to It should go beyond a passive voter to an active participant in processes of an active participant in processes of democracy Preparation of people’s democracy Preparation of people’s manifesto is a pro-active engagement manifesto is a pro-active engagement of citizen in the electioneeringof citizen in the electioneering

• It influences the manifesto making It influences the manifesto making process of different political parties. process of different political parties.

People’s Manifesto People’s Manifesto cont…cont…

• In 2009, WNTA pioneered the processIn 2009, WNTA pioneered the process• It was path breaking and was considered to be a blueprint, It was path breaking and was considered to be a blueprint,

made by the people, for the future of India. made by the people, for the future of India. • It was prepared in 350 Parliament constituencies through It was prepared in 350 Parliament constituencies through

public meetings from across 28 States and 3 Union public meetings from across 28 States and 3 Union Territories.Territories.

• Covered 4 lakh people Covered 4 lakh people • Many political parties including left parties, Congress and Many political parties including left parties, Congress and

others incorporated suggestions/demandsothers incorporated suggestions/demands• Right to food and education figured in UPA agendaRight to food and education figured in UPA agenda• In MP, People’s Manifesto for the Assembly elections In MP, People’s Manifesto for the Assembly elections

preparedprepared• The process was felt important by political parties this timeThe process was felt important by political parties this time• Wider consultation by parties with people and CSOsWider consultation by parties with people and CSOs• Rahul Gandhi taking keen interest. Modi tweets for “Your Rahul Gandhi taking keen interest. Modi tweets for “Your

voice, your manifesto!: wants people’s inputs to BJP’s voice, your manifesto!: wants people’s inputs to BJP’s manifesto making processmanifesto making process

People’s Manifesto for People’s Manifesto for 20142014

• 250 Parliamentary constituencies spread across 22 states will be covered this 250 Parliamentary constituencies spread across 22 states will be covered this timetime

• States: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West States: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Tamil Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and othersNadu, Karnataka and others

• Wider engagement of civil society organisations, women’s organisations, trade Wider engagement of civil society organisations, women’s organisations, trade unions, student groups, Dalit organisations, Tribal organisations, and other unions, student groups, Dalit organisations, Tribal organisations, and other groups representing various marginalized sections.groups representing various marginalized sections.

• At least 50% Women in every meeting to be ensuredAt least 50% Women in every meeting to be ensured• 10 lakh people to be touched. Nearly five lakh women10 lakh people to be touched. Nearly five lakh women• Meeting with Women’s groups, specially the SHGs plannedMeeting with Women’s groups, specially the SHGs planned• Participants in the manifesto making are most likely to voteParticipants in the manifesto making are most likely to vote• Follow up discussion among SHG meetings stressed: a ripple effect expectedFollow up discussion among SHG meetings stressed: a ripple effect expected• Sharing that earlier inputs to this process made way to the final governance Sharing that earlier inputs to this process made way to the final governance

process likely to generate more interest among womenprocess likely to generate more interest among women• Likely to influence the involvement of women in voting and electoral processes Likely to influence the involvement of women in voting and electoral processes

(e.g. campaigning for a party!)(e.g. campaigning for a party!)• Increase awareness of women and influence their participation in local Increase awareness of women and influence their participation in local

electionselections• Engaging mass media and social mediaEngaging mass media and social media• Engaging political partiesEngaging political parties• Finally the Aam Admi Effect…Finally the Aam Admi Effect…

ThanksThanks

Mail id: Mail id: pradeep.wnta@gmail.compradeep.wnta@gmail.com