1. India’s liberal political strategy II: 2014 and beyond Background and draft agenda Draft slides Version 0.5, 20 July 2014

2.  The shadow of socialist Nehru and Gandhi looms large  Starting a liberal party in India is like lighting a wet match  One has to try and try again.  Swatantra > Swatantra Bharat Party …  It may ultimately light up  The challenge of taking the message across the length and breadth of India is huge  Not much support from those who should know better  But small steps can add up, if these are focused

3. "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Albert Einstein This applies both to India and to Indian liberals

4. The case for action: the case for freedom

5.  Tagore dreamt of the Heaven of Freedom. We have created the HELL of SLAVERY. No freedom to speak, no freedom of occupation, no freedom to trade, and total corruption. That, in a nutshell, is India.  Liberty is not going to come to India in one go. It is a battle we have to fight our entire life. Each generation has to engage.  Illiberal forces are aggressively crushing even the slight shoots of liberty that emerge from time to time.  The battle can't be won by praising anti-liberty forces such as BJP/Congress/AAP. We have to VIGOROUSLY oppose such forces.

6. IssueFrom hereTo here Freedom of speechBan of various books, films, destruction of paintings Absolute freedom of speech (like US first amendment) Economic libertyContinuing restrictionsAbsolute freedom under regulatory oversight Religious libertyState plays active role, no rule of law State steps out from the religious space: only minimum standards GovernanceGovernance based in principles of socialism Governance based on incentives and accountability

8.  Share in global trade is only 1.7 per cent.  94th in Corruption Perception Index: Transparency International (Indian Express 25 Nov 2013)  Global Hunger Index (yr.2011) India 67 th position. Pakistan 59 th and Sri Lanka 36 th  Infant mortality: U.N. Population Division (2011) India 150 th out of 194 countries  IFC World Bank- 2012 Annual Report:  -- Doing Business: ranks India at just 132nd out of 183 countries  -- Starting a business: must for economy; ranks 166th of 183 countries (88 th Five years ago)  -- A new factory/ office requires construction permit: India ranks 181st of 183 countries

9.  In 2009 study, India ranked 73 out of 74 nations on PISA. The average 15-year-old Indian is over 200 points behind the global topper.  Comparing scores, experts estimate that an Indian eighth grader is at the level of a South Korean third grader in math abilities or a second-year student from Shanghai when it comes to reading skills.

10.  Feeble property rights  http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/singap ore/property-rights-index http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/Asia/singap ore/property-rights-index  The list is endless – the gap between India and the leaders of the world

11.  it is shocking to see this report: http://rsf.org/index2014/data/index2014_en.pdf http://rsf.org/index2014/data/index2014_en.pdf  Forget free nations such as the Nordic states, Western Europe or US, which are traditionally in the top-30, India has been ranked below such stellar countries as Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Nigeria, Venezuela, UAE (???) and Central African Republic.

12. Why I have invited you: To translate into action our shared conviction that India’s governance should be based on the natural law of liberty, not on the unnatural system of socialism

13. Proposed inclusions: Key elements of organisational design  Agreement on Constitution (SBP as basis, with relevant amendments)  In-principle agreement to merge in some form or shape  How to pool merged party funds (if any)  Agreement on Presidents and Vice Presidents  Timeline to disband parties that need to be dissolved  Membership of FTI is crucial to ensure the ideological discipline essential for a strong team of leaders. Key aspects of strategy/ organisational culture  Resolution on relationship with other parties  Code of Conduct: total integrity (including party funds)  Discipline  Openness/ issue resolution  Email as key mechanism of communication  Processes to refine policy agenda

14. Ideological clarity  Principles/ detailed agenda (SKC)  Process for improving agenda Strategic positioning  Sone Ki Chidiya reform movement as vehicle to link widely with others Next steps, etc.

15.  Only totally committed and politically active liberals have been invited  Not everyone from various groups invited, only representatives  Convenor to lead/facilitate/moderate  Entirely open and free discussion, but continuous focus on outcomes  Moderation task will be shared, as appropriate  Supratim to assist during the first three days  Funds have been raised for food  Thanks, again, to contributors  Participants please bring your own stationery (pen/ notepad)

16.  Assuming we wish to work together, what would a merged entity look like?  Agenda (what we wish to change)  Process to agree and refine agenda  Constitution etc.  Do we agree on these basics? – will provide framework for an agreement  How should we proceed – more details for an agreement  learnings from the past  Options to merge  In principle decision to merge  Next steps (subject to in-principle agreement)  learnings from the past: what has worked, what has failed  strategy/ message ▪ Technology ▪ grassroots movement/s etc.

17.  Workshop No. I held in January 2004  20-25 key liberals from across India  Decided to support Swatantra Bharat Party  Lack of clear internal communication and lack of leaders on the ground led to an end to this strategy in 2005  This is a good time to revisit  imperative for a national liberal political party more pressing than ever before  but is India ready? Are we ready? ▪ a much greater number of liberal leaders now available

18.  Apart from Swatantra Bharat (mid-1990s) which was mainly a rural-based party, urban liberals have started entering politics  Lok Satta (2006)  Jago (around 2008?)  Bharat Uday Mission (2006?)  Navbharat (earlier PPI) (2013, earlier 2008?)  However, all have failed comprehensively, performing much worse than Swatantra Bharat Party (which not only had 2 MLAs but also an MP)

19. Party Seats contested Votes Average votes per seat Lok Satta Party71,69,648 24,200 Nav Bharat Democratic Party 916,153 1,795 Both parties were soundly rejected by voters. Navbharat Party was most comprehensively rejected ( 7 per cent of the votes polled by LSP) Parties like Jago/ Swatantra etc. had no financial capacity to contest.

20. What did we learn from the 2014 elections?

21.  First rule of entrepreneurship to learn from failure  Failing is wasted if we don’t learn why we have failed

22. Liberals were not even in the game, leave alone having any prospect of winning No branding, no ideological differentiation, no X-factor The voter is strategic and wants a strong leadership team and strong message The voter uses brand recognition as proxy for organisational ability and strength of the team and prospects of winning A party without strong brand, strong leadership and strong message has no voter appeal

23. Time to consolidate and to be strategic. Either we do it properly or stop doing this altogether. If failure is the goal we should stop all this work.  Sunk cost: Any previous cost (previous effort) that is not relevant to future outcomes is irrelevant  Entrepreneurs may fail multiple times. Only the lessons remain. The costs are written off.  Need to learn from the experience, but need to move on to a better model  Liberty HAS a future in India, but not if we disperse our efforts and adopt dysfunctional strategies

24.  The country - the Titanic - HAS changed course. Socialism in its Nehruvian avatar is DEAD. Communism is DEAD.  The election of BJP to power marks an intermediate step to a liberal party. By no means is BJP a liberal party. But definitely better than Congress.  The task to totally turn the Titanic around can take another 10 years - of solid work.  Some quasi-liberals have accepted BJP as the ‘end result’ for India.  We do not accept the HALF-BAKED “governance” of BJP, a party neither liberal nor religion-neutral.

25. How we can work together

26.  The erratic rise of AAP has confirmed that India wants clean politics and clean governance. We don’t support AAP, given its socialist goals, extreme arrogance and refusal to learn anything new.  We need, instead, a standing liberal political party that will:  provide a sustainable liberal vision and leadership for India  identify, groom and generate new leaders for tomorrow  like a tortoise, will never stop to take rest. Perseverance, patience.  never disappear like Swatantra did, or become irrelevant like Swatantra Bharat Party  not be a full time job for most members, most of whom would build a successful professional life and support the party incrementally, within their ability – a party for the long haul

27.  No civilised democracy exists anywhere without a strong liberal political party (i.e. party committed to liberty).  Even if the party we create is not strong enough to win seats immediately, its message has a crucial role to play in India  it must first speak out firmly and consistently on all public policy issues from outside Parliament  it must aim to become an opposition party. To become a successful opposition party will take anywhere from 5-10 years of solid work.  one day the country will be ready for a liberal agenda

28.  Politics is about spreading YOUR way of thinking.  As Patrick Henry said: “Give me liberty or give me death”.  There has to be “fire in the belly” to spread liberty  Politics is a thankless task: much abuse, even some physical risk  If there is no fire in the belly:  we will take short cuts  we will be easily disappointed since we expect too much, too soon  and when we are easily disappointed we will leave the battlefield.  In war one is unlikely to “cruise” to success.  Losing a battle is not the same as losing the war.  There is a long fight ahead to make India conscious of the need for liberty and to demand it. We must pick our battles – and fight when prepared.

29. 1) Mechanics Common platform  Common constitution  Common agenda World-best policy process  Only policies that provide significant net benefit (10-point FTI policy framework)FTI policy framework  Single name

30. 2. Personal attributes Total integrity  Total integrity of participating individuals absolutely essential: (a) no acceptance of cash donations (b) no donations that can’t be disclosed publicly (c) spending frugally and only on previously approved items (d) ensuring full accounts (e) compliance with stringent Code of Conduct (e.g. FTI’s Code, to be further reviewed) Team bigger than individual (a) continuous improvement through debate; (b) focus on India’s national interest, (c) organisational positions not decorative, and on the basis of merit.

31. Merger should be substantial  Leaders should have substantial leadership attributes and, where possible, grassroots support  Leaders should be well-settled so they can either contribute appropriate fees for the party or from their supporters  E.g. 75 national executive members Rs.1 lakh = Rs. 75 lakhs  100s of state executive members Rs.50K each = Rs. 50 lakhs

32. 1. Constitution

33.  Designed after reviewing a large number of Indian and foreign party constitutions  Has inbuilt fund-raising mechanisms  Allows OCIs to occupy a senior role (ie. not just as advisers) – this feature was not objected by ECI during registration  Subject to review, this constitution can be improved/ revised and lodged with ECI

34. 2. Agenda for change

35. What we stand for A strong united nation We may well hark back to the good times of the past (e.g. sone ki chidiya, satyameva jayate), but are focused on the future Economic and political liberalism Liberal and inclusive (non-denominational) ideology, reflecting the intrinsic openness of the Indian mind People free to acquire wealth and pursue their happiness Room for all schools of thought, including all religions (religious freedom is a key principle of liberalism) The separation of religion and the state. The state cannot own or direct any religious institutions or customs, but can set a minimum standard. Religion must remain a private matter.

36. Core functions of the state Protect the people from internal and external threats Enforce the rule of law The law applies to all All are equal before the law Government protects the freedoms and rights of all citizens Government ensures timely and effective justice Reasonable equal opportunity (not pulling anyone back – we oppose affirmative action which discriminates against merit) State as a night watchman, a regulator, not doer Government not to engage in business or provide ‘services’ Should facilitate free enterprise and allow people to generate wealth Jobs are created by the people, not by the government

37.  SKC agenda as a draft comprehensive liberal agenda  If we don’t think it is a great product we can’t sell it to others  We should agree to a democratic process for our agenda (consistent with principles of liberty)  Step 1: Agree to accept the draft SKC agenda, prepared through a massive analytical and consultative process, as a basis for further work  Step 2: Debate and improve  Tracked changes, so details are agreed  Policy group chaired by Sanjeev to decide what is consistent with the broad approach (Sanjeev to hold the pen for consistency)  We should always welcome comments from anyone, to improve the agenda

38.  Process to refine agenda  Cordial discussion of disagreements to find the best solutions compatible with liberty  Commitment to team work during the process of agenda making  Transparency in internal decision-making  Openness to criticism – including from customers (the general public)  Discipline to support common goal/s through evidence based discussion

39.  Stay close to the median voter.  Nudge the voter towards liberty each time, through persuasion. Don't expect a major uptake of all ideas of liberty at once.  Don’t try to radically change everything. That will fail. Pick a few key changes and really do them well.  All change is path dependent. Once history is made, it becomes a powerful force in its own right. Have a transitional plan.

40.  There is an important lesson to be learned from the Thatcher experience for the current generation of conviction politicians who operate in the United States under the Tea Party label.  If you continue to eschew pragmatism in favor of hard principle, you will leave the political arena without significant achievements.  Successful politicians must always pay attention to the electorate, even while they attempt to shape electoral opinion through policy successes.  That is a long hard road to follow for those of you who want to change the world while still in your twenties or thirties. But that is the road that you will have to follow if you are to leave any durable footprints on the sand of time. [Source]Source

41.  Once adopted, TOTAL discipline is needed in relation to the agenda  Everyone must speak PRECISELY according to the agenda (including details) – including on social media  Anyone speaking off-message to be asked to leave  Without TOTAL discipline we can’t run a successful political party  Key task to prepare details of public policy, including any draft bills necessary to get these policies implemented.

42. 3. Brand

43.  Only a party founded in ideology can last  Others will come and go  Brand should reflect IDEOLOGY.

44. Options:  Use existing relatively well-established party as common brand (e.g. Navbharat – although the brand has been seriously diminished by recent electoral results)  Use Swarna Bharat Party (which was designed specifically as a national liberal party)  Use one of the parties as basis but change its name  Rename to Liberal Party of India (my preferred name) as a way to assert ideological clarity.

45.  SBP is a clean slate with no office bearer names written on it.  Existing SBP office bearers to be replaced after comprehensive merger  Happy to have (non-FTI) leaders and parties occupy important positions – subject to agreement on other basics.  Gen Secy/Treasurer to be managed by FTI  Since everyone can join FTI they will retain control over party accounts

46. 1. President rotates (one year each) from member parties - for one round of rotations. After that the one year tenure continues but election is based on normal election process, with the best spokesperson of the party being elected as President. By 2019 we’ll have a top-notch President. 2. Each constituent party gets a Vice President position when it does not have a President position. 3. Sanjeev will be a constant for ten years - as an Hon. Vice-President till age 65, to ensure policy cogency and driver of total integrity and team work. After 65 will retire. 4. Supratim Basu will head the accounts team as Treasurer in the initial years, but each party will provide its own finance chief as Asst. Treasurer. Even if Supratim doesn't get the time to manage all details, he will ask questions, etc. and make sure our accounts system is in PERFECT order at all times. 5. There would be 75 National Executive positions and many others for state executives, with these distributed amongst constituent parties to begin with, in proportion to their strength and capable leadership on offer.

47. Political strategy

48.  Need political warriors, NOT AMATEURS.  In politics disunity is DEATH.  Solid grounding in strategy and preparation. No non-strategic action.

49.  Strong public position against socialist parties  Staying away from all corrupt and/or socialist parties e.g. Congress, BJP, AAP, or parties with confused leadership (Lok Satta)  Any coordination with other parties must necessarily be based on a written common minimum agenda.  Party reserves right to be critical of political ‘partners’ on issues of integrity and policy

50.  Consistency is the key  If JP speaks about system reform but is then willing to hobnob with those who have DESTROYED the system, how can anyone trust such a person?  If BJP was so good, why start Lok Satta? Why not join BJP straight away and stop confusing people?  Even if forced to hobnob with a system-destroyer like Congress/BJP, our communication must reflect the issues: no need to say that "Modi is the best choice".  No ENDORSEMENT of Congress/BJP is acceptable. These are the parties that have destroyed India.  CONSISTENCY, self-respect and disciplined communication is a key strategy

51.  Flank 1: Holding BJP to account, including Modi for snoopgate and other crimes, and disruptive action to destroy the fake gloss of BJP whenever opportunity arises.  Flank 1A: Continue attacking socialists like Congress and AAP, which have broadly similar policies to BJP’s  Direct positive thrust: pointing out the positive features of the liberal party, presenting an agenda that is agreed and promoted by topmost Indians  The socialists don’t realise that the Indian constitution is founded on liberal ideas. These ideas are saving India despite its socialism. So also liberalisation. Even the idea of democracy. These are OUR ideas. Let’s sell them to India.

52.  Our task is not so much about communal stuff  BJP will strongly distance itself from such things given that being communal will totally destroy it electorally  Even freedom of speech BJP will not be able to touch, since Indian youth are determined to use FB freely.  We should no doubt monitor these things  Our real attack should be on rule of law and prosperity = sone ki chidiya. Along with EXTREMELY STRONG defence policy.  Even if we fail to ring a bell initially, the repeated hammering of the message will serve two purposes:  it will warn BJP to keep focusing on the development agenda (it will need to adopt our agenda - and we'll take due credit each time it does so), and  will ask voters to raise the bar.  EXPECT MORE. That's our key message

53.  Weakpoints:  No reform of governance system  Continuation of UPA subsidies policies  Snoopgate – punishable with three years in jail ▪ When lawmakers become law breakers, there must be even more severe penalties ▪ Many other cases in various stages of appeal, etc.  Land deals and crony capitalism  Extensive use of black money  Total inability to address corruption, prices, debt

54. We should hammer that BJP can’t deliver in a time bound manner (or, indeed, EVER): a few examples.  total elimination of poverty in three years  total elimination of black money in real estate in three years  high quality school education even for the poorest in three years  almost entirely eradicate corruption across the board within three years  effective police system within three year  effective justice system within three years  water and power are available in abundance (for a price) within five year  India to rise dramatically in international rankings of nations, such as Ease of Doing Business, Transparency International’s corruption rankings, Freedom rankings, etc., within three years  elimination of sale of public land at throw away prices to corrupt industrialists within three years  India’s per capita GDP rises by 50 per cent in three years BJP will totally fail to make India Sone Ki Chidiya, given it has zero concept either of liberty or of governance reform. And our MAIN challenge in India: That brain drain stops and the queue reverses: we start getting top talent from the rest of the world, within five years

55.  We will always support policy that moves in the right direction, even though it may not be entirely in the right direction.  But no compromise on ethics and rule of law.  Allegations of crime / corruption are non- negotiable – and MUST be investigated.

56.  This can involve advocating the benefits of freedom to key constituencies, e.g. farmers

57. Finding and agreeing a powerful spokesperson  All politics is presidential  All real politics is about the top leader  Politics is ultimately about guts  Had Shashi Tharoor or Nandan Nilekani thrown their hat into the ring and kicked out Rahul Gandhi, they could have won this election  Having a natural Hindi speaker is desirable  Also need a chief supporter: Two is a magic number in politics: one leader, one chief supporter  And need a strong totally committed team to demonstrate that this is a viable alternative to BJP.

58.  The idea of liberty needs to be protected from the storms of illiberal ideas despite the costs and risks involved.  This is not about winning power immediately but about supporting liberty through thick and thin.  It is a marathon, not a sprint.  It is a journey with some victories but no victory is the last destination. The journey will need to continue for all generations to come.

59.  It took many decades for the message of hatred of the RSS to spread. By now it has reached every corner of India, and RSS has formed government.  Similarly it will take DECADES for the message of peace and liberty to spread. But it will not happen on its own.  Persistence, and political engagement, is the key

60.  Doing the right thing is a reward in itself.  Nishkam Karma. Fight for the truth. Fight for liberty, regardless of reward.  Self-respect  Life is meant to be lived with self-respect, as men.  Genuflecting to the corrupt and criminal is not for us  We should set a role model for doing what is right, even if we may not “succeed” in the immediate future. Fighting for liberty has long term positive effects.

61. Next steps: key tasks

62.  Organisational  Membership  Financial  Meetings and organisational elections  Political  Message  Spokespersons  Disruptive actions: opportunistic – can’t be planned in advance. As the team grows, ideas will emerge

63. Our message is our ordnance in the battlefield. Its quality will determine if we ‘hit’ the target

64.  We need a simple but consistent message  Need to keep repeating it, like a mantra  Cannot be everything to everybody  Everyone needs to speak similar language

65.  Need to write articles in newspapers  Need to position our work as being based on the natural law (as opposed to unnatural ideas of socialist and Gandhians)

66.  In this workshop we should brainstorm key messages.  We should test these messages with different sections of people - rich, poor, middleclass, rural and urban.  E.g. people may actually feel that they like black money in real estate since they then pay less tax. We need to show why they are actually losing by paying in black although they are not paying tax.

67. Aggressive fault-finding Irresponsible fiscal management  How is it responsible for a government to subsidise the rich?  How can deficit financing help the poor – it merely dilutes the value of the rupee and hurts the poor the most Blocking business enterprise  What qualifies those who can’t operate a business enterprise of their own to stop business competition and enterprise? Immorality  How can any human being grow unless he is allowed to experience failure? Defensive  “But you are against the poor”: It is absurd to suggest this. It is you who are against the poor through your poverty industry in which you get well-paid jobs at the expense of the poo  This is a really good article to use: http://fff.org/explore-freedom/article/tgif- what-should-libertarians-do/http://fff.org/explore-freedom/article/tgif- what-should-libertarians-do/

68.  Corruption as an electoral issue?  http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/does- corruption-influence-voter- choice/article6050324.ece http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/does- corruption-influence-voter- choice/article6050324.ece  Voters care more about the corruption they encounter on an everyday basis, whereas parties make the issue a spectacle.

72.  Liberalism and Socialism are political philosophies which people do not understand. I find even social activists and intellectuals and highly learned people can not make distinction between Liberalism and Socialism. We need to explain in simple language distinction between these two political terms to the people of India.  Most of the so called Indian educated masses (doctors, engineers, teachers, lawyers etc) have no idea about what socialism, liberalism or political philosophies mean.  Understanding difference between socialism and liberalism is one issue but at this time when we are in very small number, we have to be patient, liberal and passionate. We will have to take right steps.  People in India understand one key aspect of socialism very well - that of a welfare state, and that the government should provide all kinds of amenities and goodies for them - and curse the govt for not providing electricity, roads, water, healthcare, schools, houses, toilets and what have you. From asking, the public is now moving to demanding, and will vote for those who pander to these demands - that is one aspect of the recent BJP win.  So, we are now becoming a nation of aggressive beggars - education remains the key to instil sense of self-worth in a nation of beggars.  Traditionally, our Rajas and maharajas liked to keep us poor, so that they could be “maai baap” to their poverty-stricken praja…  Unfortunately, some individuals and even political parties like to perpetuate the mentality of “maai- baap”, with the old Rajas and Maharajas displaced by new Rajas and Maharajas (ministers, politicians, sahibs, babus…)  this 500-600 years of being slaves is so tough to get out of our genes, our "traditions" and our thinking process.

73.  Not all is lost in India, as this interaction on my FB wall shows. These are probably among the nearly 70 per cent of the Indians who voted against BJP. The problem? Most don't take their concept of liberty to the next step: economic liberty. Nor care to understand how a liberal government can be created. I think we should, as a logical argument, show them that freedom of speech and tolerance NECESSARILY leads to economic liberty, as well. NEVER to control over citizens by governments.

74. Liberal position on controversial issuesBJPAAPCongress Support for FDI in retail  Support for FDI in defence  Support for secular/non-denominational state  ?? Against crony capitalism  Support for GM crops

80. BJP wantsSBP wants Bureaucrats to be paid poorly and not be accountable Bureaucrats paid very well but held sternly to account for results (terminated instantly for poor performance) To continue existing poverty “alleviation” strategies To directly identify and pay the poorest to totally eliminate poverty To run schools directly with total incapacity to deliver high quality results To fully privatise schools and pay parents of the poorest high value vouchers to allow them to demand results Real estate system which requires black money and corruption Totally modernised real estate system with enormous checks and balances to ensure total elimination of black money Municipalities operated like fiefdoms of corrupt politicians and IAS officers Municipalities where CEOs are hired by elected councilors, paid very well but held to account for results

82.  India will continue to lose people despite Modi

83.  If some people think that a government is unfit or incapable of regulating privatised education, utilities or businesses (the “reality”), how do they imagine it has the knowledge or capacity to directly run these services (“imagination”)?  The reality is the SAME in both cases. A government MAY be able to regulate, but can NEVER directly manage almost anything successfully