LRS participation in election 2007

The flag of Lok Raj Sangathan is a rectangular cloth, in tricolour of saffron, green and red, with length and breadth in the proportion of 3:2 with the organisation's emblem in the centre. The flag reflects the resolve of the Indian people to end their marginalisation and come to the centre-stage of the economic, political and social life of the country.

The colours in the flag have been chosen for their broad symbolism. The saffron colour symbolises the blazing sacrifices of the Indian martyrs to build a just society, which today illuminate our path. The green colour symbolises our bountiful land, and the peasantry and agricultural workers who create wealth from this bounty - and yet stand disempowered today. The red colour symbolises the blood and sweat of the workers across this land, and their struggle for the rights and justice of all those who labour. In the centre of the flag is the emblem of Lok Raj Sangathan, composed of people with raised fists against the rising sun in the background reflecting the peoples' aspirations for empowerment, human rights and progress, the triumphs of the past and the hopes for a bright future

Together, the flag is a symbol of faith in ourselves and the future, our pride in India's rich tradition and our salute to the land and dignity of our people.

Lok Raj Sangathan is committed to establishing Lok Raj in India wherein the prosperity and protection of all are ensured and wherein:

the human rights of all members of Indian society, irrespective of caste or creed, race or gender, language or ethnic differences, or differences in wealth and social status, are constitutionally guaranteed with enforceable mechanisms;
all members of Indian society set the agenda for the harmonious development of society;
the inviolable rights of all people to livelihood and employment, food with adequate nutrition, education, health care, drinking water and sanitation, clothing, shelter, natural resources, safe environment, and other necessities are ensured;
the social oppression of women, caste oppression, oppression of tribal people and of other historically disadvantaged sections of Indian society are put an end to;
minority rights of religious, linguistic, and national minorities are defended; and
sovereignty of India is defended.

Organise the people in defence of their human, democratic and national rights and fight for constitutional guarantees and enforceable mechanisms for these rights;
Agitate for an emergency time bound program to end poverty and illiteracy and raise the living conditions of the masses of people!
Oppose sale of land, natural resources, and assets of the people of India to private profiteers;
Oppose the use of force to deal with political and economic problems, the use of army for dealing with political issues, and fight for abolition of all draconian laws;
Fight for constitutional guarantee for the rights of every nation, nationality and tribal people within India to decide their own destiny;
Oppose all forms of persecution of any section of the people, guided by the slogan, "An attack on one is an attack on all!";
Combat attempts to divide the unity of the people on the basis of religion, region, caste, gender or party affiliation;
Oppose any form of strategic alliance of India with the US or other imperialist powers, chauvinism and hysteria against the neighbouring people, and kowtowing to the imperialists, any foreign military interference in South Asia and work for peace in South Asia;
Organise and educate the people and campaign for the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that the people, and not political parties have a say in the selection of candidates, and to recall unsuitable and unworthy representatives, and to initiate legislation in the assemblies and parliament;
Work for the isolation from the polity of those parties that commit crimes to gather votes;
Campaign to end the criminalisation and communalisation of politics;
Propagate the necessity for redefining the role of political parties in the political system and political process, taking into account ancient Indian statecraft, experiences from the Indian freedom struggle as well as international experiences.
Strive to ensure that India pursues a foreign policy that:

defends the sovereignty of India;
defends the rights of all countries to follow the economic and political course of their choice, without external dictate; and
takes a consistent stand in all international fora, in defence of human rights, world peace, mutually beneficial economic relations between different countries, and the sovereignty of all peoples.

Membership of the Lok Raj Sangathan is open to all Indian citizens and persons of Indian origin above 18 years of age, who wish to participate in and contribute to the program for bringing the people to power, who agree to the aims and objectives of the organisation, and who pay a membership fee of Rs 10/- per annum.

The Lok Raj Sangathan works on the principle that rights and duties are indivisible and all members have equal rights and duties.

Every member shall have the right to vote in the election to any of the constituent units of the organisation, and to contest in election to any office of the organisation, unless disqualified by any rule made under this constitution.

The All-India Convention of Lok Raj Sangathan is the highest decision-making body of the organisation. It discusses and decides all major policies and programs and elects the All India Council to carry out the decisions.

Between two Conventions of the Lok Raj Sangathan, the All India Council (AIC) is the highest decision making body of the organisation.

The Regional Convention of Lok Raj Sangathan is the highest decision-making body of the organisation at the regional level. It elects the Regional Council to carry out the decisions at that level. Between two Regional Conventions, the Regional Council is the highest decision making body in the region.

Lok Raj Sabhas are established among the people in their places of residence/work in both the rural and urban areas of the country. A Lok Raj Sabha of a particular residential colony/workplace includes all members of the Lok Raj Sangathan in that place. Lok Raj Samitis are elected by the Lok Raj Sabha of the place.

The Lok Raj Sabhas are the highest decision making body at the base. Between two meetings of the Sabha, the Lok Raj Samiti is the highest decision making body in the locality.

All organisations of Lok Raj Sangathan function in a democratic manner. Decisions at each level are made in the collective at that level with individuals being assigned responsibilities. Decisions are made unanimously or by majority vote.

During the meetings of the organisations of the Lok Raj Sangathan, the office bearers will have no special rights by virtue of being office bearers.

All bodies of the Lok Raj Sangathanâ€”the All India Council, the Regional Councils as well as the Lok Raj Samitis have full freedom to decide on the line of action for the empowerment of the people within the area of their work.

The All-India Convention shall be convened every 2 years. The decision to convene the All India Convention is taken by the All India Council. In special circumstances, it may either postpone or prepone the Convention. If over one thirds of the members of the Lok Raj Sangathan request the convening of an All India Convention, then the All India Council shall convene the Convention.

Delegates to the All-India Convention shall be elected by the Lok Raj Sabhas. Any member of the Lok Raj Sangathan has the right to offer his/her candidature to be elected as delegate from the Lok Raj Sabha of the area in which he/she is a member, provided his/her candidature is supported by a minimum number of voters from the Sabha, as specified by the All-India Council.

In accordance with the principles of democratic representation, the All-India Council determines the rules for representation at the Convention and the method of electing delegates. In determining these rules it will take into account the need for the development of the organisation in different regions as well as the fact that India is a multi-national country.

The Regional Convention shall be convened every 2 years. The decision to convene the Regional Convention shall be taken by the Regional Council. In special circumstances, it may either postpone or prepone the Regional Convention. If over one thirds of the members of the Lok Raj Sangathan in the region request the convening of a Regional Convention, then the Regional Council shall convene the Convention.

Delegates to the Regional Convention shall be elected by the Lok Raj Sabhas of the region from amongst their members. Any member of the Lok Raj Sangathan of the region has the right to offer his/her candidature to be elected as delegate from the Sabha in which he/she is a member, provided his/her candidature is supported by a minimum number of voters from the Sabha, as specified by the Regional Council. In accordance with the principles of democratic representation, the Regional Council, in consultation with the All-India Council, determines the rules for representation at the Convention and the method of electing delegates.

The Lok Raj Samitis are elected at the Sabha of the members in the residential area or workplace. The Samitis regularly report to the Sabhas on their work. These Samitis are elected every year. If over one third of the members of the Sabha so demand, then the Samiti shall immediately call a meeting of the Sabha.

The All-India Council shall meet once every three months. The notice and the agenda for the meeting shall be sent to the AIC members two weeks in advance.

The Regional Councils shall meet at least once in every three months. The notice and the agenda for the meeting shall be sent to the Regional Council members two weeks in advance.

The Lok Raj Samitis shall meet once a month or more frequently, depending on the need of the work.

The All-India Council carries out its work democratically and collectively and assigns individual and collective responsibilities to its members. It establishes councils which are in charge of developing the work at an all India level among different collectives - workers, peasants, agricultural workers, women, youth, socially disadvantaged and any other collective where it considers special attention is needed. It shall also establish special groups to deal with developing work in the different regions. It shall set up policy councils in areas such as international relations, economy, politics, the political system and process, the national question and any other fronts that require the elaboration of policy to advance the work of the Lok Raj Sangathan.

The All-India Council shall elect a Secretariat including the Secretary (Convenor) to lead the day-to-day work of the organisation, in between the All-India Council meetings.

The All-India Council shall elect a President and one or more Vice Presidents in order to strengthen the public profile of the organisation.

The Regional Council carries out its work democratically and collectively and assigns individual and collective responsibilities to its members. It shall establish councils for developing the work at the regional level in different sectors.

The Regional Council shall elect a Secretariat including the Secretary (Convenor) to lead the day-to-day work of the organisation, in between the Regional Council meetings.

The Lok Raj Samitis shall elect a Secretary (convenor) who convenes the meeting. It shall also elect a treasurer who is in charge of the finances of the Samiti.

A member of the Lok Raj Sangathan who works against the aims and objectives of the organisation will be subject to disciplinary action by the Sabha, Samiti or Council to which he or she belongs.

Depending on the merits of the case, disciplinary measures can range from warning, suspension from membership for a period not exceeding one year, and expulsion from the organisation.

A member of an elected body of the Lok Raj Sangathan -- the Samitis, the regional councils, and the All India councils -- can be expelled only by a majority vote of the elected body he/she belongs to.

The member against whom disciplinary action is being taken has the right to be present as well as defend their case in the Sabha/Samiti/Council meeting where the issue is being discussed.

Any member who feels the disciplinary action is unjust has the right to appeal to the next higher elected body of the organisation for redressal. He/she can take his/her case right up to the All India Council. The decision of the All India Council is final.

If any Samiti of the Lok Raj Sangathan is found to be consistently violating the aims and objectives and constitution of the organisation, and bringing Lok Raj Sangathan into disrepute, the higher organisation has the right to dissolve the Samiti, and organise to carry out a fresh enrolment of Sabha members in the area, and re-elect the Samiti.

The financial resources of the Lok Raj Sangathan comprise membership dues, income from various undertakings of the organisation, and contributions from the mass movement, donations from its members and from the public at large.

The All India Council is responsible for the finances of the organisation. The All India Council shall draw up an annual budget and allocate funds accordingly and shall appoint a treasurer/treasurers who will be responsible for maintaining the accounts. The All India Council shall adopt the annual statement of accounts submitted to it by the Secretariat.

The finances of the All-India Council shall be audited annually by an internal auditor.

Membership fees are at the disposal of the All India Council. The All India Council shall decide on the proportion of distribution of levy as well as any other special collection for the different activities of the organisation.

The Regional Councils shall submit their financial statements and budgets to the Secretariat of the AIC every quarter.

The Constitution of the Lok Raj Sangathan shall be amended only by the All-India Convention. The notice for proposals for amendments shall be given one month before the Convention.

Documents: Constitution | Programme