SWARAJ INDIA Should Fearlessly Raise Strong Voices Set Things Right -Shri Shanti Bhushan
Channel: Swaraj Abhiyan
Date: 2016-10-05

With the mission of ushering probity, transparency and accountability in electoral politics, Prashant Bhushan, National President of Swaraj Abhiyan today announced the formation of a new all India political party named SWARAJ INDIA. Bhushan added that Yogendra Yadav has been unanimously elected as the first national president and Ajit Jha as the first national general secretary of the new Party. Prof. Anand Kumar will be a mentor and advisor to Swaraj India.
 
The launch of the Party was announced at its Founding Convention in Delhi where over 400 delegates from almost all States of India pledged to struggle for the vision and mission of Swaraj India. The first signature on the list of founder members of the Party was that of noted lawyer and ex-law minister Shanti Bhushan. Speaking at the convention, he expressed hope that the new political party would take on the divisive and corrupt political parties to bring real Swaraj in the country.
 
The decision to form a political party was taken after ensuring the principles of Transparency, Accountability and Internal Democracy in the organization. At a national delegates convention held earlier on July 31, 92.5% of the huge gathering had voted in favor of forming a political party and mandated the task to a Party Formation Committee. The decision to form a party was later ratified through referendum among all the members where an overwhelming percentage voted to form the party.
 
It was also announced that the fearless anti-corruption crusader and social activist Prashant Bhushan had been unanimously elected the new National President of Swaraj Abhiyan, which shall remain a non-electoral campaign organization and continue working on public issues.  

Prashant Bhushan said that Swaraj Abhiyan will continue to run campaigns to ensure that governments and public institutions work according to the wishes of the people and take their decisions in public interest in the true spirit of Swaraj.  Swaraj Abhiyan will continue to run its four key programs as well as others as required.  Swaraj Abhiyan and Swaraj India will soon have separate executive bodies as well as people for their respective executive posts.  While not taking up any executive posts in the Swaraj India party, Prashant Bhushan is a founder member and expects it to become the true vehicle of alternative politics in the country.   
 
Since it's foundation on April 14, 2015, Swaraj Abhiyan has been true to the Legacy of Janlokpal Movement, the largest anti-corruption movement. In its journey of 18 months, Swaraj Abhiyan has raised real and relevant questions. From Jai Kisan Movement to the Anti-Corruption Team, from Aman Committees to the Shiksha Swaraj initiative, Swaraj Abhiyan has been the voice people in their struggle against divisive politics, agrarian distress, corruption and muzzling of democracy and public institutions.
 
Swaraj Abhiyan raised the issue of apathy towards rural India and farmers’ distress with vigour and worked to help the drought hit rural folk, who were being denied even basic rights by the Government. Apart from public movements on ground, Swaraj Abhiyan forced the governments to show accountability in its intent and implementation of various welfare schemes by taking this matter to the Supreme Court.
 
By exposing the scam in name of corporate debt restructuring, where the government had waived off corporate loans to the tune of 1.14 lakh crores, putting pressure on the establishment on the issue of black money and exposing the Agusta Westland Scam of Chhatisgarh government, the Anti-Corruption Team has been a bold voice against corruption. Swaraj Abhiyan fiercely campaigned against the dilution of Janlokpal bill by Delhi government and the Central government’s poor commitment & track record towards transparency and accountability.
 
Through Aman Committees, Swaraj Abhiyan took the responsibility of ensuring brotherhood and harmony in society at a time when divisive politics is at its peak. The Shiksha Swaraj movement campaigned for equal opportunity for all in education and was present in every university campus, which was under institutional attack.