LokSatta == JP?

When I was growing up it was said that "India is Indira and Indira is India" this is probably thanks to the '71 victory and lot of people bought into it sincerely. Oh well, we know what happened later. (sorry if you are born in the late '80's- you need to catch up on '70s)

I'm concerned if there is an analogy here with Lok Satta and JP. The media certainly plays it that
way. As JP himself said (heard him live on this one!) media does not consider anyone who is not an ex MLA, ex Minister, ex MP to be interesting enough to interview or cover. This makes it very difficult for a young party like LokSatta which does not have people who are "in" politics and most of the candidates, officers are regular people like you and me with a day job.

To some extent, I believe even the supporters of Lok Satta are also contributing to this. It is impossible not to be intimidated by a personality like JP but the party got to be larger than any one individual. Every opportunity they get, they need to promote and bring visibility to rest of the folks in the party. Quote people other than JP. Volunteer for local candidates. Figure out local issues and make those your discussion topics.

I liked Katari Srinivasa Rao, for example, who spoke at one of the meetings I was at and demonstrated beyond any doubt that there are capable folks at the helm of the party. He is running from SeriLingampally. Here's his [website]

More info (thanks to Anand Rao for posting elsewhere)

Serilingampally constituency - Katari Srinivasa Rao

Issues the candidate cares for in the constituency:

1. Drinking water
2. Drainage system
3. Roads and infrastructure

Laws the candidate will fight for:

1. Statutory empowerment of local bodies with 2 crore/ year funding.

Source of funding: Donations from public

Age: 49

Education: MCA from Nagarjuna University

Work Experience: Assistant Professor in Computer Science, CBIT; Associated with Lok Satta from 1996.