A Dialogue with the Voters of Jayanagar Assembly Constituency : 15-10-2017

Dear Voters of Jayanagar Assembly Constituency,

It was the time of 2008’s Assembly Elections in Karnataka. I was working in the USA as a Software Engineer. Also as a writer in Kannada, I was aware of the political situation in Karnataka. You may also be aware of those times, the Mining and Real Estate Mafia was controlling almost everything in Karnataka. The values and morals in public life were no where to be seen and only money and caste were going to decide the outcome of the elections.

That situation is totally unacceptable in any Democracy. As a concerned citizen, to register my protest against such a pathetic and regressive political environment I came to India on a month long leave and went on a 3-Days Hunger Strike in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s Statue, in the name of “Maulyagraha – Demanding Values in Public Life”, and decided to contest assembly elections as a token of protest. I chose Jayanagar as the constituency as the voters here were known for their progressive values and civic sense, and contested as an Independent Candidate. In the true spirits of participatory democracy, it was a completely crowd-funded election. Approximately Rs. 4+ lakhs was raised, each Re was accounted and the same was filed promptly to the Election Commission. We campaigned with honesty and dignity and I hope you all still remember that.

Even though I went back to America soon after the elections but I had decided to come back, and relocated to India permanently in 2010. Since then I have been active socially and politically. I contested from the neighbouring BTM Layout Assembly Constituency in 2013 from Loksatta Party and Bengaluru Rural Parliamentary Constituency in 2014 from Aam Aadmi Party. Movement against corruption in KPSC, Mandur garbage crisis, protest against corruption in Lokayukta institution, paadayatre from Maddur to Mandya to create awareness regarding farmers suicides, 3-Days hunger strike as part of 39 days struggle under the leadership of freedom fighter Sh. H S Doreswamy against land grabbing, 8-Days hunger strike against weakening of Lokayukta and creation of namesake ACB, 3-Days hunger protest at Gadag for the preservation of Kappatgudda, 5-Days, 90+ Kms paadayatre from Madduru to Adichunchanagiri Betta demanding ban on liquor; these are some of the key social movements and struggles that I was part of in the last 6 years.

I resigned from Aam Aadmi Party last year due to internal differences and launched “Lanchamukta Karnataka Nirmana Vedike”, an organization to work towards building Bribe-Free Karnataka and I have been working as the President since then. Social audits have been conducted at hundreds of Government offices, tens of workshops conducted to empower citizens in RTI and Sakala Acts, many complaints lodged in Lokayukta and ACB against corrupt officials and some were raided and arrested by the ACB, etc, are some of the key activities of our organization. Due to our recent campaign at Jayanagar General Hospital, the hospital is completely Bribe-Free.

Now, shortly, another election to State Assembly is staring at us.

Even though I am not in any political party, I am committed to be part of the electoral politics, to fight for our rights and build a corruption-free and a just society. In this regard, I would like to have an open meeting with all the free spirited and mature voters of Jayanagar and discuss the future course of action. I hereby request you to make time and participate in this meeting and share your feedback.

Date & Time : 15-10-2017, Sunday. 11:00 am
Venue : 31/2, Second Floor, 8th ‘E’ Main, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru – 560011.

Please contact 9741980801 for more details.

I sincerely look forward to seeing you and having a meaningful discussion.

Best regards,
Ravi Krishna Reddy

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