Joint Declaration
The country is going to the polls again to elect the 16th Lok Sabha. This is the occasion for the people of India to decide the future direction of the Indian Republic.
Five
years of the UPA-II government have led to all-round problems and
suffering for the people. Economic growth has slowed down which was
already skewed in favour of the rich; unprecedented price rise has
caused havoc to the lives of the people; farmers have faced acute
distress; youth face unemployment and bleak prospects; lakhs of
adivasis, dalits and minorities have faced loss of livelihood; women
have faced unprecedented insecurity and violence; corruption has become
the byword for the ruling establishment.
It is time for a change and to throw out the Congress from power.
The
BJP, which claims to be the alternative, has no policies different from
that of the Congress. Their record in the states where they run
governments on corruption and economic policies underline the fact that
they are the twin of the Congress and the other side of the same coin.
Moreover, they represent an ideology which spells divisiveness, disunity
and communal disharmony which will endanger the secular-democratic
fabric.
The BJP and the communal forces must be defeated and prevented from coming to power.
There
has to be an alternative to the Congress and the BJP – an alternative
which has a democratic, secular, federal and pro-people development
agenda.
We, the leaders of 11 parties, responding
to the people’s urge for relief from the growing burdens, have resolved
to work together for:
(i) Strengthening the democratic framework ending corruption and ensuring accountability in government.
(ii) Establishing a firm secular order which recognizes the plurality and diversity of our society.
(iii)
Providing a people-oriented developmental path which addresses the
concerns of inequality, social justice, farmers’ interests, minorities
and women’s rights.
(iv)
Reversing the centralizing model at the Centre; creating a true federal
system so that all states’ rights are assured, including special
category status for states who deserve it.
We urge other secular-democratic parties and forces to join our endeavour.
We
appeal to all sections of the people, all citizens to extend their
support to our parties and the principles we have set forth.
