UPA – TRULY PROGRESSIVE!

The Election mood is at fever pitch and like many other times like this I wish there were 48 hours in the day! Jeep yatras, padayatras, community meetings, citizen group interactions, nukkad meetings, public sabhas, party meetings, website meetings etc etc ……

In the middle of this hectic activity, news of the Indian Hockey team winning the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament after 14 years, by beating Malaysia by 3 goals to 1, comes like a breath of fresh air. It feels fabulous that the team is doing so well after long years of non performance. I have no doubt now that this inspired team of youngsters will get gold for India in the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games in London in 2012!

My manifesto as the official candidate of the Congress – NCP – RPI alliance is published and is online on my website. The main focus of my future plans for Pune City are development and employment.

The UPA Government has taken certain revolutionary and visionary decisions during its 5 years tenure. In spite of an alliance with many parties, the UPA has given a stable government and completed its tenure very confidently.

US President Barack Obama has recently stated that India and China are capable of being the future super powers. They are the only two countries not affected by recession yet.

The UPA government has ensured a growth rate of 9 % in the country. Inspite of recessionary pressures, the growth rate has remained at 6.5% (3.5 to 4% in BJP era). For the first time after independence, Rs 1,00,000 crores was sanctioned for development of urban areas under the revolutionary Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). The revolutionary Right to Information (RTI) Act was passed. The historic Nuclear Treaty was signed, which will boost the power supply to agriculture and industry.

The State Government undertook the SRA scheme with a commitment to give 350 sq ft of permanent houses to slum dwellers in the same place of current residence. A Housing Policy for Low Income Groups and the Middle Class families has also been formulated.

The achievements of the Congress party in Pune are mentioned in the manifesto. Do take the trouble of going through the document. Overall development of Pune has been my main agenda and I firmly believe that development is a continuous process.

I have strived to make Pune a Global City through various initiatives, always keeping in mind the traditions and values that are so characteristic of Pune…. its Puneripan!!!!!

Suresh