The People Party: Ajmal Mehdi promotes his party for the minority

The People Party: Ajmal Mehdi promotes his party for the minority Story Tools Email to a friend Print version 27 comment(s) Wednesday, March 12, 2014 4:49 PM EDT By STEVE COLLINS STAFF WRITER BRISTOL — It’s not easy to squeeze a new political party into an electoral system that’s been dominated by two major parties for most of American history. But Ajmal “Lucky” Mehdi, a Center Street convenience store owner, is trying to beat the odds. “America needs independent people, not just two sides,” Mehdi said while standing behind the counter of his small downtown market. Mehdi, who lost a longshot bid for a city registrar’s position in 2012, is still hoping to land a city office where he could promote the interest of the People Party he created more than a decade ago to battle the Patriot Act and fight for ordinary people. Mehdi said the People Party hasn’t been able to gain official recognition despite his efforts. But it appears that he’s probably wrong about that. State law provides that if a petitioning candidate runs for a municipal position and gets more than 1 percent of the vote under a party banner, then it becomes a recognized minor party in that town. In the 2012 race, Mehdi racked up 806 votes from among 21,854 cast in the registrars’ race won by Democrat Mary Rydingsward and Republican Sharon Krawiecki. That amounts to nearly 4 percent of the total vote, enough to lock in official status for Mehdi’s People Party. Mehdi still needs to file party rules with the secretary of state, but that’s a simple process, officials said. The advantage of recognition is that when the next election rolls around, a candidate nominated by that party doesn’t have to gather signatures through what can be a cumbersome petitioning process. Mehdi said people need to have access to minor parties so they can break the logjam created by two major parties that don’t pay enough attention to the “very poor people” who need help. “Other political party members are rich and powerful based on relationship and jobs,” he said. “They don’t have any idea how common American citizens are surviving day by day.” In Connecticut, there are four minor parties with statewide recognition: the Green, Independent, Libertarian and Working Families parties. At the municipal level, though, there are many more across the state, most of them focused on a particular town or city. Mehdi, who filed for bankruptcy recently, said that to advance the democratic system, the city should “arrange a job” for him so he can devote his attention to promoting the People Party and its platform. “I’m not looking for a million dollars. I’m looking for a basic job,” said Mehdi, who has lived in Bristol for two decades. A native of Pakistan, he holds an associate’s degree in patient care technology. Mehdi has worked in a variety of retail and computer-related positions over the years before opening his convenience store, which has signs both inside and outside touting the People Party and its promotion of “freedom, peace and justice.” For more information about his party, see its website at humanfealty.com or its Facebook page. Steve Collins can be reached at (860) 584-0501, ext. 7254, or at scollins@bristolpress.com. COMMENTS holla wrote on Mar 12, 2014 7:34 AM: " Mehdi, who filed for bankruptcy recently, said that to advance the democratic system, the city should “arrange a job” for him so he can devote his attention to promoting the People Party and its platform. Go back to Pakistan if you like socialism! " Report Abuse PistolPete wrote on Mar 12, 2014 7:41 AM: " Pakistan isn't socialist. It seems to me the man has learned pretty quickly to be an American, for good or ill. " Report Abuse holla wrote on Mar 12, 2014 8:17 AM: " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism_in_Pakistan " Report Abuse PistolPete wrote on Mar 12, 2014 8:21 AM: " holla ------- This guy runs a market in downtown Bristol. He's a CAPITALIST. That he wants a government job makes him no different than 99 percent of his fellow Americans!!! " Report Abuse Bubba Joe Bubba wrote on Mar 12, 2014 8:21 AM: " This effort will go nowhere.......... " Report Abuse banana wrote on Mar 12, 2014 8:27 AM: " And yet you all vote for the same dems or reps and then complain nonstop about how they are ruining Bristol. How about helping this guy make a change. Its not about him ,its about getting independent party support to actually improve Bristol. " Report Abuse cravin wrote on Mar 12, 2014 8:33 AM: " Does he celebrate Festivus too! Give me a break, you want the city government to "create" a position for you to help you finance and push your agenda. No way this should happen. Despite what others have said this is not the American Way. We are not supposed to look to the government for hand outs like this. This is one of the many reasons this country is going down the drain, the mentality of give me give me give me instead of "no, it's okay, I've got this. " Report Abuse J707 wrote on Mar 12, 2014 8:48 AM: " I'm pretty sure there is a lot of people from Pakistan and Middle Eastern countries that wish there was no Patriot Act. " Report Abuse Dauntless wrote on Mar 12, 2014 9:27 AM: " This guy's letters are a mix of decent ideas and complete psycho-babble. " Report Abuse JohnZ wrote on Mar 12, 2014 10:04 AM: " BOOSHWA!!!!! " Report Abuse BigRob wrote on Mar 12, 2014 10:21 AM: " J707: What does that have to do with this article? " Report Abuse cool hand luke wrote on Mar 12, 2014 10:38 AM: " This fine "American" sued the US government because he claimed it took too long to become a citizen. Ungrateful huh. Read about here. http://www.justice.gov/usao/ct/Documents/Appeals/2011/10-3080MedhivUS.pdf " Report Abuse chillin60 wrote on Mar 12, 2014 11:51 AM: " i hope you win.. all the people in bristol love to lick obams nut sack so you will win in a landslide " Report Abuse IndyMo wrote on Mar 12, 2014 12:24 PM: " So he wants a city job to help with his agenda. Why not? The Dems and Reps have more than one of those. If you can meet the threshold to be a recognized party, then why not have a registrar on the payroll for your party? Sounds like he wants what the other 2 major parties have many times over. " Report Abuse Kaptain Kaos wrote on Mar 12, 2014 12:29 PM: " Anyone who's thinking of supporting this guy should do a quick net search of him. I did after what Cool Hand Luke posted, that lawsuit in itself is pretty crazy. It's shocking what this guy is ranting about in petitions and blogs online. Is the B-Press afraid to publish his background out of fear that he'll sue them like he did to the paper in New Haven? " Report Abuse wild thing wrote on Mar 12, 2014 1:04 PM: " He should register as a democrat and the GOP WILL PUT HIM ON THE BALLOT " Report Abuse J707 wrote on Mar 12, 2014 2:36 PM: " @bigrob Not sure if you're aware but there are a lot of people in and from the Middle East that want to harm and kill Americans. The Patriot Act helps protect us...which this man is against. The man this article is about. Even if you didn't read the article (which you should have prior to posting) just look at the picture for the article and you should be able to connect those dots. " Report Abuse the stone wrote on Mar 12, 2014 3:23 PM: " JUST WHAT WE NEED ANOTHER TOWEL HEAD RUNNING OUR GOVERMENT " Report Abuse Rock It Man wrote on Mar 12, 2014 3:32 PM: " DAUNTLESS: I agree with you. Bazinga! " Report Abuse Bristol1988 wrote on Mar 12, 2014 3:51 PM: " @j707, you my friend, are the prime example of ignorance in today's society. Where exactly did you get your facts that "people from the Middle East want to kill Americans"? Here's a brilliant idea, go pick up a book and actually learn about the middle eastern people rather than being, for the lack of a better word, stupid and believing all the bad stuff you read online. How would you like to be spied on and suspected of being a terrorist even though you are an American citizen? As for this guy and his party, he has a point. America is all about democrats and republicans. Not one other party has been given the opportunity to even run in an election. America is all about freedom yet when someone actually wants to make a change, he is unable to. Where's the freedom in this? People should really stop with the hatred of middle eastern individuals and give them a chance. Last time I checked, us Americans aren't exactly "perfect" either. " Report Abuse c just saying wrote on Mar 12, 2014 5:47 PM: " promotes a party for the minority - or promotes himself for a job paid for by the city? sorry not buying his patriotism. sounds like he should rename it the "whats in it for me" party. " Report Abuse ctrunner wrote on Mar 12, 2014 6:23 PM: " J707 & the stone - RACIST, RACIST, RACIST comments. I'll have them both removed soon for just that. Bristol1988 - Well said, but nice try. You just can't fix stupid ! c just saying - And that's different than our current public officials, how ? " Report Abuse JohnZ wrote on Mar 12, 2014 6:43 PM: " ctrunner Once again you are right. " Report Abuse Attilashrugs wrote on Mar 13, 2014 12:05 PM: " He lost me at his conniving for a municipal job! It is not that he comes a "socialist Pakistan" for indeed Pakistan is not socialist. However he comes from a politically corrupt Pakistan where politics and patronism go hand in hand. Unfortunately America now more closely resembles his concept of Spoils-based politics. Why does he not just join the DemoNcrats? Or if he were truly motivated by Love of Liberty, the Libertarian party? " Report Abuse Athena wrote on Mar 15, 2014 1:28 PM: " The idea of having a minor party in this city is a great idea. The republican and Democratic Party are the only two people are aware of in this town. If Mr. Mehdi did get the required votes, then he should have gotten the voter registrar job. If 800 or so people find vote for him then that means a part of bristol is in fact in favor of his ideas. America is so far behind compared to countries such as China, India and other various middle eastern countries where the majority of the PHDs living here come from. His idea of opening a branch of a major university in downtown bristol is also understandable. There will be new jobs introduced and downtown will thrive with the new population. " Report Abuse Humanity wrote on Mar 15, 2014 1:33 PM: " The People Party Platform 1. We believe all people are entitled to freedom, peace and justice. We will do all that we can to see these rights are promoted and protected in the current century. 2. We believe any kind of negative discrimination such as racism, sexism and religious persecution are crimes against humanity. We cannot endorse sole progression of man from animal as it rejects spiritual evolution. We will respect all human kind. 3. We believe in freedom of the press and object to media censorship. We believe we have the responsibility to stay informed and the right to have resources for this available without restrictions. 4. We reject war, terrorism and arms build ups as they are plagues on mankind and the environment. 5. We support and encourage efforts to preserve and protect the environment. Air and water pollution, unbridled harvesting of fossil fuels and loss of habitat need to be stopped. We are commit to do our part by recycling and curbing wasteful habits. We recognize our responsibility to future generations in this regard. 6. We believe we must provide education worldwide in health and family planning. We must foster respect for life and accept responsibility for the offspring we create. Programs facilitating border less adoptions need to be encouraged. 7. We believe everyone is entitled to a good quality of life including clean water and air, energy availability for home and commerce and a healthy diet. Every nation and its leaders must be accountable that these needs are met. 8. We will respect all life including animal rights and insist on their protection and humane treatment in food preparation entertainment and sports. 9. We are honest in all our dealings and we respect the dignity of others. We will instill these beliefs in our children in order to promote happiness and peace. "

The Bristol Press: Bristol, Conn., and surrounding areas (BristolPress.com)

The Bristol Press: Bristol, Conn., and surrounding areas (BristolPress.com)

We believe in freedom of the press and object to media censorship. We believe we have the responsibility to stay informed and the right to have resources for this available without restrictions.