Mysuru: A meeting of activists of the newly- formed party Swaraj India was held at Town Hall here yesterday. The occasion also marked the  launch of the party’s City and District Rural Units.

Inaugurating the programme, S.R. Hiremath, leader of Janandolana Mahamythri observed that political forces have literally hijacked democracy which should be got back with a revamped administration. He pointed out that JCB — meaning Janata Dal (S), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party — were collectively engaged in a sort of extortion under the label of democracy.

Continuing, Hiremath said that the hapless voters were at the receiving end thanks to the greedy politicians. Hence he averred that democracy should be protected through evolution of a new stream of governance through a comprehensive movement which conceptualised to formation of Swaraj India.

He hoped that a Dream India would be evolved through the joint effort of the people and added that Swaraj India was focussing on that concept.

Addressing the gathering, writer and member of National Executive Board Devanur Mahadeva said that election was not just a political game but a meaningful process to form a stable and progressive government.

On the contrary, he regretted that politicians merely build castles in the air for people in the context of development hoodwinking the voters with false and unrealistic assurances.

Amjad Pasha, Convenor, State Co-ordination Committee, Swaraj India, presided. Swaraj India leader Doddipalya Narasimha Murthy delivered the  keynote address. A book ‘Paryaya Rajakaranakke Swagatha’ was released on the occasion by Sugatha Srinivasa Raju, Editor, The State online. MLA K.S. Puttannaiah, leaders of Swaraj India and others attended the event.