The successful election of the ‘VoteJuhu’ Candidate, Adolf D’Souza, in the 63^rd Ward in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections (on Feb 1^st) signals the arrival of the new political culture. Lok Satta Party believes that this is a clear victory of genuinely people-centered, clean and honest politics over the degenerated political culture of money-and-muscle power. This electoral verdict will greatly boost the ushering in of a new political culture across the country.

Lok Satta Maharashtra’s VoteMumbai civil society movement entered the electoral fray in the 63^rd Ward (Bhaktivedanta – Cooper Hospital) of Juhu, in the form of ‘VoteJuhu’ campaign. VoteJuhu launched an innovative, attractive and effective public campaign in the run-up to the elections emphasizing: establishing ward committees under the leadership of the ward councilor/corporator and with citizen-participation for every ward, devolution of a share of the municipal taxes raised in the ward towards ward development and making the ward committee in charge of essential public services such as sanitation, drainage and street lighting in each ward.

In short, VoteJuhu was a response to the public demand for clean and honest, people-centered politics.

The selection of the VoteJuhu candidate captures the essence of the new political culture. An intensive campaign was carried out in the 35 polling stations of the Juhu 63^rd Ward and the candidate, Adolf D’Souza, was democratically elected by public representatives in a ward–level meeting. These public representatives themselves were elected by voters, from each polling station. Thus Adolf D’Souza entered the electoral fray as the citizens’ candidate.

Candidates of the various national and regional parties contesting against the citizens’ VoteJuhu candidate vied with each other in spending money during campaigning and reportedly spent around Rs. 30 - 35 lakh rupees, mostly towards buying votes or coercing the voters. Despite all this, the Juhu voters rejected the status-quo and voted for the new political culture.

Lok Satta Party heartily congratulates the VoteMumbai Movement, VoteJuhu Campaign and its committed volunteers. Lok Satta also congratulates the people of Juhu who decisively rejected the degenerated political culture of money-and-muscle power. Victory in Juhu signals the arrival of the new political culture!

With warm regards,