are you a first time voter? want to know more about how our system works and what is the role of MP, MLA and councillor?

1. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
election season is here!
are you a first time voter?
want to know more about the job description of an MLA?
is MLA’s role Executive or Legislative?
what factors should you consider to choose the best candidate for you?

2. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
Central
Government
State
Government
City
Government
India is a Republic. That means People are Supreme Power
Since all of us cannot possibly become the government, we created different tiers of government
Protect the national boundaries, maintain
good relations with other nations of the
world, represent India in the United
Nations and other global trade and
cultural institutions and forums.
Makes and amends laws
for the country.
Maintain law and order,
Education, Health care,
Irrigation, Agriculture,
Industrial policy,
Makes and amends laws
for the state.
Run the city by providing basic infrastructure
such as roads, drainage, waste management,
footpaths. Provide public transport.
Make rules for the city such as
fi
nes for public
urination, advertising and parking policy,
waste segregation. Note that Rural India has a
three tier system called Panchayat Raj

3. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
Central
Government
State
Government
City
Government
We, the people, elect fellow citizens to represent us in each of these institutions.
M.P M.L.A Councillor
A total of 543 MPs represent people
from all states and union territories.
Each MP represents 15-25 lakh people!
Each state has a
fi
xed number of MLAs
based on population. UP has 425 MLAs,
Karnataka 224 and Tamil Nadu has 234
Each MLA represents 3-7 lakh people!
Number of councillors per city depends on
population. Each Councillor represents
anywhere from 3000-50,000 people!
Bengaluru has 243 Hyderabad has 150
Councillors are called Corporators in some
places.
Every voter
in a city
gets to
elect 3
representatives.

4. Legislative Executive Judiciary
The three wings of Government
Make and amend laws
Run the Government!
Some legislators become Ministers
Ensure constitutional
validity of laws passed by
legislature
Represent people’s voice
Raise issues of importance
and hold government
accountable
Implement the decisions of the political
leadership - Cabinet
Creates rules and procedures for the
laws made by legislature
Oversight over Executive
All India Services IAS/IPS are the highest
levels of administration
Interpret law
s
Balances power
Independent of legislative or
executive in
fl
uence
Guardian of fundamental
rights of citizens from any
organs of the state

5. Legislative Executive Judiciary
The three wings of Government
MP
MLA
Councillor
Political Administration
PM
Council of
Ministers
Cabinet
Secretary
Chief
Secretary
District
Collectors
Municipal
Commissioners
CM Council of
Ministers
Mayor
Standin
g
Committees
District Panchayat
Supreme Court
High Court
City Court
District Court
*City Councillors are not exactly Legislative but they do help make byel-laws for the city

6. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
Wate
r
Road
s
Footpath
s
Drain
s
Electricit
y
Public Transpor
t
Garbage Managemen
t
Parks, Lakes
Polic
e
Educatio
n
Public Healt
h
Agricultur
e
Fisherie
s
Road
s
Irrigatio
n
Liquor
Industry
Trade
Defens
e
Armed Force
s
External Affair
s
Trade & Commerc
e
Internal Securit
y
Teleco
m
Science and Technolog
y
Space Researc
h
National Highway
s
Port
s
Railway
s
Central Government
is responsible for
State Government
is responsible for
City Government or Municipal
Corporation is responsible for
MLA
is our
elected
representative
MP
is our
elected
representative
Councillor
is our elected
representative

7. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
MLA Councillor
Makes an
d
amends state
laws
The L in MLA
stands for
Legislative!
Represents
3-8 lak
h
voters
Attends
Vidhana
Sabha
Raises the
voice of
constituents in
the Assembly
Votes on state
subjects: law&order,
agricultur
e
Education, Health
Budget
Can in
fl
uence
policy by
Legislative Sub
Committees
Represents
30,000 to 50,000
voters in a
Ward
Attends
City Council
Raises the voice
of citizens in the
Council
Can become
member of
Standing
Committees
Ensures State
Government
policies are
implemented
by the
Executive
Elect
s
CM
Elect
s
Mayor
Ensures municipal
services such as
roads, garbage
management,
water supply,
electricity are
provided for all
citizens in their
ward
Approve
s
City Budget

8. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
Your MLA represents you in
State Government
Your Councillor represents you in
City/Municipal Government
City Government is
responsible for
Water, Road
s
Footpaths, Drain
s
Electricit
y
Public Transpor
t
Garbage Managemen
t
Parks, Lake
s
Sanitation, Building Plan
s
City Master Plan
State Government is
responsible for
Law & Order,
Education, Health,
Agriculture
,
Irrigation
,
Public Works
,
Transport
,
Social Justice
Councillor is expected
to address civic issues
that impact quality of
everyday life
.
Councillor elects Mayor
MLAs are lawmakers for
the entire state, not just
their constituency
.
They are expected to
work together to take th
e
state forward by making
effective policies,
highlighting issues and
holding government
accountable
Councillor’s job
is to ensure that the
entire city is well
governed, not just
their ward!
MLA must
ensure that all state
government programs
are being
implemented
What is the difference between an MLA and a Councillor?
In big cities, there is one councillor
for 25000-50000 voter
s
In small towns, 3000-10000 peopl
e
have one

9. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
Citizens approach
MLAs for civic issues
and they just cannot
send them away.
Besides, solving such
issues is easier.
Why do MLAs try to do Councillor’s job?
There is little or no
scope for law making by
individual MPs and
MLAs since party high
command decides
legislative agenda
without seeking active
involvement of their
own party legislators.
The Whip system took
away the independence of
MPs and MLAs to speak
freely.They are expected to
repeat party stand.
The number of days
Parliament & Assembly
functions has come down
drastically.
There is little scope for
serious legislative work.
Parties give tickets
to winnable
candidates and not
those that can
represent people well
in legislature
MLAs want to be
seen as popular
leaders and
problem solvers
Media measures
effectiveness of Legislators
by asking them about civic
issues
It takes lot of efforts to be a good legislator; relatively easier to resolve civic issues and win public support

10. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
Can this candidate
represent MY VOICE
in the State Assembly?
How should we choose our MLA candidate?
Who is the best
candidate to
make my
constituency’s
issues get
highlighted at
state level to get
them resolved?
Does the candidate
understand Constitution
and will she be able to treat
all citizens as equal?
Does this candidate have an
understanding of the biggest
challenges of our state?
Candidate Pro
fi
le,
Experience,Ability to
articulate solutions
must be evaluated.
What prior political
experience did this
candidate have
?
Did she serve as a
municipal councillor?
Winning Elections is entirely
different than
Governing post election so
don’t judge my campaign.

11. SA
Srinivas
Alavilli
Janaagraha
#CityPolitics
your vote is precious. it represents you!
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