All India Peoples Front (Radical) is a mass political platform dedicated to the goal of ushering in a humane society free of exploitation and alienation. It stands committed to end the present exploitative and unjust social and economic order. It envisions the establishment of a social and economic order which is people- centric and eco-friendly; which is inspired by the principles of equality and solidarity; and which ensures a life of dignity for all.
The ruling class has made common cause with the global oligarchy of corporate capital and speculative finance capital. It is blindly going in for greater and deeper integration with these global forces even as the neo-liberal economic order is facing its deepest crisis in the very hub of the global capital.
AIPF(R) believes that the present conjuncture which is marked by this sinister collaboration has rendered the task of striving for the goal more urgent.
The ravages inflicted by the two decades of neo-liberal policies on the broad masses of people have further exacerbated the long standing deprivation and disparity in the society. The small and marginal peasantry, landless labour, craftsmen, workers in the organized, unorganized and informal sectors, women workers and the so-called 'self- employed' have borne the brunt while a miniscule number in the upper most echelons have earned wealth and income as never before. The middle classes who were enamoured of the neo-liberal policies until recently are progressively getting disillusioned and will be compelled by the circumstances, sooner rather than later, to decide on whose side they stand: the ruling class or working people.
To divert attention from the main challenge facing the people, systematic attempts are being made by the ruling class to foment dissension and division and even engineer conflicts among common people. Another aspect of this cynical project is instigation of chauvinist and jingoist stance towards the important neighbouring countries. Which, besides serving as a diversionary tactic, fits in with the strategic design of the global superpower, the home of the global capital. At the same time, in the name of enforcing "law and order", the space for democratic dissent and mobilization is being drastically curtailed. What is worse, under the camouflage of uncritical and superficial slogans of "development" and "governance", fascistic tendencies are emerging with the encouragement and support of the corporate capital intent on acquiring complete control of the state apparatus.
AIPF(R) believes that the need of the hour is to form a broad democratic platform for pursuing Radical and Inclusive Politics : Politics which will deepen democratization of polity and society, which will strengthen modern values of equality, secularism, solidarity and which will ensure freedom and dignity for all. Politics which will eradicate the age-old curse of social inequality and injustice. Politics which will frontally meet the challenge of neo-liberalism and reinvent the Idea of India which has been bequeathed to us by our long struggle against colonialism.
In a word, we have to redeem our tryst with destiny. AIPF (R) is committed to this task and wishes to join hands with all like-minded political formations, groups, activists and individuals to further the struggle to move towards the goal.
AIPF(R) bears true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India, as by law established and to the principles of socialism, secularism and democracy and will uphold sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
It consists of two equal horizontal strips of red, yellow colour, in that order. Its shape is rectangular in the ratio 3:2.
Any adult Indian citizen who accepts the Constitution of AIPF (R) including its Preamble and Constitutional Declaration and subscribes to its Policy Objectives, Policies and Programmes may become its Member.
(a)- Organizations agreeing with the goal and approach contained in the Preamble to AIPF(R) Constitution and its Costitutional Declaration and Policy Objectives may directly join as constituent organisational members of AIPF(R) at different levels. AIPF(R) shall not interfere with their independent functioning.
(b)-A high level functionary to be nominated by the constituent organizational member shall be ex-officio member of national and state level committes of AIPF(R).
(c)-Members of other like-minded organizations may become members of AIPF(R), provided they fulfill the criterion laid down in Article 3 above and provided further that their membership of their original organisation does not oblige them to indulge in activities that are not in harmony with the aims and objectives of AIPF(R) or run counter to the approach and policies of AIPF(R).
Consistent with its evolution and the process of formation, its philosophy and its structure, AIPF(R) will function, to the maximum extent possible, on the basis of consensus and take decisions through mutual discussion. Where such consensus is not reached, the decisions will be taken by the majority vote of members present and casting vote. If the level of majority is not specifically laid down in the relevant Article of the Constitution, the majority will mean simple majority.The area of AIPF(R)'s operation will be the whole country and its organizational structures will function at national, state, district, block and local levels.
AIPF (R)'s organisational structure will consist of five tiers starting from the village/ward level and reaching up to the national level :
All India Front Committee shall decide the general policies of AIPF(R) on national issues and determine the orientation of national initiatives and organizational campaigns.The Central Working Committee shall formulate AIPF(R)'s stand on specific national issues and will be responsible for implementation of its policies and programmes. In States, the State Front and Working Committees shall play a similar role in the respective State, within the framework of the policies, programmes and initiatives decided upon by the National Level Committees. District/Block /City Front and Working Committees and Village/Ward Front Committee shall not only implement various national and state level programmes and initiatives within their respective areas of functioning, but more importantly, shall function as living centres of consistent grassroot work so that the policies and spirit behind them may take practical shape in accordance with the local circumstances. Ad-hoc committees may be constituted at different levels other than national level with the consent of higher level Committees, if conditions for the formation of full-fledged committees are not fulfilled.
National conference shall be organized every 3 years. If necessary CWC may make adjustments in the timing, which will have to be ratified in due course by AIFC. All members of state front committees, presidents and secretaries of district committees and presidents of block committees shall be delegates for the national conference. President, in consultation with the CWC, may nominate delegates for the conference other than the ex-officio delegates. The number of such nominated delegates shall not exceed five percent of the latter. National Conference shall elect All India Front Committee.
CWC shall be elected by the AIFC.
The National President shall be elected by the All India Front Committee. The President shall preside over the national level committee meetings. For conducting national political affairs, National President may nominate National Convener and Co-Conveners, as necessary. National President, National Convener and Co-Conveners shall be ex-officio members of the CWC. The President may nominate some members to the CWC. The total number of such nominated members shall in no case exceed ten percent of the total number of elected CWC members.
The Central Working Committee shall elect Vice-Presidents. The President shall nominate the Senior Vice-President from amongst the elected Vice Presidents. In the absence of President, the Senior Vice-President shall preside over the national level committee meetings.
The General Secretaries and Secretaries shall be elected in the meeting of the Central Working Committee. The CWC shall elect Organisational General Secretary from amongst the General Secretaries. The Organisational General Secretary shall convene the national level committee meetings, prepare the documentation and keep necessary record of the meetings. Secretaries will assist the General Secretaries in their functions. Organisational General Secretary may be authorized by the CWC to enter into legal and financial transactions in the name of AIPF (R).
The Office Secretary shall be nominated by the President. He/she will conduct the affairs of the office. He/ She shall be responsible for fulfilling the legal requirements and obligations on behalf of AIPF ( R ).
The Treasurer shall be nominated by the President from amongst the members of the Central Working Committee. He/She shall maintain the records of income and expenditure and shall look after the financial affairs of AIPF(R). He/ She shall open an account in a scheduled bank in the name of All India Peoples Front (Radical). The account will be operated jointly by Treasurer and one other high level functionary to be nominated by President. Treasurer will be responsible for fulfilling such obligations as the law of the land prescribes in respect of the financial operations of AIPF ( R) eg. Audit, Income Tax, Service Tax etc.
The Committees other than those at the national level will elect their office- bearers at their biennial Front Committee meetings. The Village/Ward level committees will elect their functionaries at their annual meeting.
The Presidents may constitute Advisory Councils at National and State levels as necessary. Members and office bearers of the Advisory Councils may or may not be members of AIPF (R). Advisory Councils will perform an important advisory role in formulating policies, programmes and activities of AIPF(R). Members of the Advisory Council may take part in the meetings of AIFC / SFC at the invitation of the President. The President may invite them to Central/ State level Working Committee Meetings. Such members of the Advisory Councils as are not the members of the AIPF (R) will not participate in voting.
The National President and the State President shall respectively nominate the National and the State level Parliamentary Boards from the members of All India Front Committee and State Front Committee. The decisions of State Parliamentary Boards regarding candidates and other important matters of elections will require the approval of CWC. Constituent Organisational Members will nominate a high level functionary to the Parilamentary Boards.
Such Conferences will be held every two years. The respective State, District and Block/City level Working Committees may decide the timing and venue. The Village /Ward level Committees will meet annually, the time and venue being decided by the respective Presidents. The delegates at such conferences will be elected/chosen/ nominated on the same pattern as that for the national level committees but the field of choice will be limited to the area of operation of the respective committee. These conferences shall elect committees for respective levels. Below state level, there will be no post of General Secretary among the office-bearers. These decisions shall have to be approved by the respective next higher level committees.
It is the primary/basic unit of the Front which will consist of all members of AIPF ( R ) at the Village / ward level. It shall elect its President and other office-bearers. Its tenure shall be one year.
There shall be mandatory representation from women, dalits, adivasis, religious minorities, OBCs and most and extremely backward castes in all committees and the office-bearers. The Presidents of respective committees will have the right to nomination for this purpose.
Amendment to the Constitution may be introduced in the Central Working Committee which will consider it carefully and, on approval by a two- thirds majority of its members present and casting vote, will recommend it to the All India Front Committee. All India Front Committee may, with such further modification as it deems appropriate, approve of it by a two-thirds majority of its members present and casting vote. The amendment shall come into effect immediately thereafter.
The President may convene a special session of Central Working Committee for deliberation of an urgent issue/s. Central working Committee may convene a special session of AIFC for consideration of an important and urgent issue/s.
Disciplinary action shall be taken by the concerned Front Committee against those engaged in anti-Front activities .It shall include warning, suspension and expulsion. Due notice and opportunity to submit his/her version/defence will be given to the concerned member before taking disciplinary action and every decision of disciplinary action shall have to be approved by the next higher committee. The right to expel any member engaged in anti-social activity is reserved with the President of the concerned Committee but it has to be approved by the respective Front Committee. In emergency, the National President can dissolve any committee or take disciplinary action against any member or office-bearer but he/she has to get this decision approved by the Central Working Committee as soon as possible. Against the disciplinary action by any committee, the affected member has the right to appeal before the next higher Committee, and in case such decision is taken by the highest committee, namely, AIFC, the affected member shall have the right to ask for review/reconsideration by that body. The decision of the appellate/ review body, reached after reconsideration of the matter, will be final and binding.
AIPF (R) shall present annual financial details as required to the Election Commission within 60 days of the end of financial year. AIPF (R)'s accounts shall be audited by the auditor empanelled by the CAG. Funds of AIPF (R) shall be used only for political purposes. AIPF(R), in maintenance of its financial documents, shall comply with the directives issued from time to time by the Election Commission.
AIPF( R) will raise resources from membership fees, donations from members, sympathizers and like minded individuals and organizations. It shall not accept any funding from any foreign source whatsoever. The moneys so raised any other receipts will be kept in an account opened in the name of All India Peoples Front (Radical) with a scheduled bank.
Decisions regarding merger with any other political formation and dissolution shall be taken in the Central Working Committee on the basis of a 2/3rd majority of members present and casting vote. Such decision will be final only after it is approved by AIFC by a two-thirds majority of its members present and casting vote.