Rashtriya Yuva Sangathan is conducting an experiment in democracy in Bijawar, Madhya Pradesh by selecting a "People's Candidate" for the upcoming state elections. They have been working in the area for 5 years and have reached 90 villages. They plan to create citizens' committees in each of the 225 villages to select a consensus candidate based on predetermined criteria of an ideal candidate. This candidate would then be accountable to the people through a "high command" and could be replaced if they engage in corruption. The goal is to have a more participatory election process that replaces the corrupt party system and keeps elected officials accountable to citizens.

1. Rashtriya Yuva Sangathan
Lok Ummidwar : Peoples’ Candidate
An Experiment In Democracy
Bijawar (Madhya Pradesh)
• State Election in Madhya Pradesh are scheduled in November 2013
• Total Villages in Bijawar Constituency are 225
• RYS has been actively working in this area for last 5 years
• The area of influence is in around 75 villages
• RYS has already reached out to close to 90 villages with this novel
concept of Peoples’ Candidate
• Constitution of RYS mandates that its member would never contest an
election or be part of the party politics.

2. Concept : Lok Ummidwar
 As of now the candidates are selected
by the parties and hence they are
responsible to them and their high
command of the party. Gandhian
alternative is that people should select
their own candidate, so that he/she is
responsible to them and remain under
their control.

3. Democracy in Bijawar
 Bijawar, Assembly constituency is of 225 villages
in Chattarpur district of MP.
 The society is feudal and deeply divided on caste
lines, with no basic necessities available. Close
to 40% of population is illiterate.
 The constituency consists of fair number of
Adivasis and minority
 The voters are around 200,000.
 Of the three top candidates of last election, the
sitting MLA has just been released from jail on
bail, her husband is already in the jail for life for
raping and murdering a minor. Ex-candidate from
Congress is also facing serious criminal charges
and candidate of the third major party BSP is
also in Jail.

4. Our Role
 We have already had three rounds of visits- on foot, cycles and in
vehicles, and touched base on close to 90 villages. Fourth round of
more than 100 volunteers is planned during 24-30 August 2013, in
which senior Gandhians and young RYS volunteer from all over the
country, would participate in this path breaking experiment.
 We are creating citizens’ committee in each village, asking
all, irrespective of their, cast, class, religion and sex, to select one
candidate by consensus. The conditions for an ideal candidacy are
pre-decided.
 Finally we would potentially have 225, one from each village. This
will form a High Command for the Peoples’ Candidate from Bijawar
constituency. Together they, other than their own name, reach to a
consensus on one name. The idea is to short list a candidate based
on the criteria decided by the people.
 The selected candidate then signs a legal document promising the
high command he/she would not stray on the popular path of
corruption, and if were caught doing so, would resign. After
which, the high command would select another candidate by the

5. Alternative in its True Sense
 Election process today is highly divisive and violent, the
new system will create cohesive, peaceful, active and
participatory election process
 It replaces corrupt and self seeking, highly centralised
party-system.
 Citizen’s committee will remain active throughout and
keep check on its MLA.
 Right to Recall and Re-election will be embedded in the
process
 It will control the unlimited expenses on election
 Elected candidate will need to visit the constituency
periodically and report his/her work and be guided by
the peoples’ High Command.

6. Budget
From June-December 2013 Budget
Office 50,000
Local Travel (two Wheeler, four Wheeler, Bus, Fuel etc) 500000
Travel Expenses for visitors from all across the country 150000
Publicity (pamphlets, banners, wall writing, email, mega
mike, SMS etc) 500000
Lodging and Boarding of volunteers 150000
Other Expenses 150000
Total 1,500,000
Your donations should be in the name of Rashtriya Yuva
Sangathan, which issues official receipt for each donation

7. Some Images
Volunteers in villages, or road and in school, daring the adverse weather
and circumstances.

8. While most work is volunteer, we would still need some basic
things like food, shelter, fuel, pamphlets, mike. While we are
putting in all that we have, are you willing to chip in at least a bit?

9. Local Media Coverage

10. Be our Friends
Rashtriya Yuva Sangathan
Jayprakash Chowk, Kumarappa Road, Near State
Bank, Wardha 4420012
We are sending you this appeal because you
know us! Even if you don’t, is it not more
important to know the work, than know the
individuals?
Kumar Prashant 09919788661 Amit Bhatnagar: 09588402600
Manoj : 096764271199 Dr Vishwajeet: 09437218717
Bhupesh Bhushan: 09165970043 Prashant: 08007011887
K Dhruv: 09329842221 Prerana: 09769838621
Rupal: 09953661996