Sidelining respective political interests, leaders of major political parties, including A.B. Bardhan, former General Secretary Communist Party of India and Yogendra Yadav, Aam Aadmi Party leader, shared a platform for electoral reforms in a national convention on “Proportional Representation – Towards a Meaningful, Inclusive and Representative Democracy” hosted by Welfare Party of India at Hindi Bhavan, New Delhi on 21 September.
Inaugurating the convention, A.B. Bardhan criticised the communal and corporate policy of the present government. On electoral reforms, he said that from the beginning, proportional representation is our agenda and manifesto. He welcomed this campaign of WPI and assured full support by his party. He also criticised the present ‘first-past-the post’ (FPTP) electoral system. He said this electoral system is for those who have muscle and money power.
Yogendra Yadav of Aam Aadmi Party said that weaker sections and poor communities such as minorities, women and Dalits have no representation and voice in Parliament because of the present electoral system (FTPT). Only Proportional Representation can deal with this problem. He also described some faults and shortcomings of Proportional Representation and urged leaders to look for its viable solution.
Delivering keynote address, Dr. S.Q.R. Ilyas, General Secretary Welfare Party of India, explained the necessities and objectives of this national convention. He said, “We need a system in which each and every section, especially the poor, is able to represent in the Parliament. This is impossible in the present electoral FTPT system in which muscle and money powers are utilised at the hilt to win election.” He added that we must promote proportional representation for a true and fair democracy where representation of all sections is possible.
On this occasion, Yogendra Sharma (CPI-M) Leader), Khurram Anees (National Secretary Indian Union Muslim League) and Danish Ali (General Secretary Janata Dal, Secular) also expressed their views on the subject. All of them welcomed this initiative of WPI and assured their support for the campaign.
Speaking from the presidential chair, Mujtaba Farooq, President WPI, summed up the views. He said, “I hesitate to call our nation democratic and secular if a democratic country is unable to represent all people and if a secular country is unable to minimise religious conflicts. What are the requirements of democracy and secularism? We must assess our system.” He also clarified that this is not the issue of Muslims or of a particular party alone but rather a national issue.
The programme came to an end with vote of thanks extended by Khalida Parveen, National Convener WPI, Women Wing.