I thank all of you, my fellow Punekars, for reposing your faith in me once again. I assure you that as always, I will continue to work for my constituency – Pune, to the best of my ability. As I have mentioned before, development is a continuous process. Our party undertook many development projects in Pune. We have planned the Vision 2020 document, not only for the next 5 years, but for a global Pune in 2020! With our win in these elections, we will ensure that the plans get implemented. Vision 2020 is a ‘Citizen’s document’ and we will solicit your valuable suggestions in future as well.

It was really exciting to see the youth taking an active interest in these elections. The credit for this goes to Mr. Rahul Gandhi for his leadership in taking the youth along with him. The leadership of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and and the stable governance by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is responsible for the success of the Congress Party in these elections. With such a majority in the Lok Sabha, the UPA is bound to come out with flying colours at the end of the next 5 years.

I thank all my colleagues within my party and from the allied parties for their

support to me for these elections.

I once again assure you that I will work hard to achieve overall development of Pune. Your belief in me has instilled a new confidence in me. As I have always maintained, my competition is with myself and I will indeed try to succeed against my past record.

Thank you once again for making an informed choice.

Warm regards

Suresh Kalmadi

I thought I should set the record straight, once and for all.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been at the brunt of attacks on various subjects from my worthy opponents. But I am surprised and amused that their only agenda seems to be ‘Kalmadi bashing’, attacking me and my ‘supposed’ non performance.

It is very disturbing to hear words like ‘non performance’, ‘any MP can get funds from the Centre’, ‘the manifesto is the same as last year’, ‘this is a PMC manifesto’ etc, especially after having worked so hard in the last 5 years. I can assure my worthy opponents that it is not as simple as it seems and it is certainly not easy to achieve what I have. The continuous follow up required in the various corridors of Parliament to procure these funds is mind boggling and one has to use every avenue, every contact and goodwill to get these benefits, especially since every constituency is vying for them. In fact, Mr Jaipal Reddy mentioned in the Lok Sabha that it was only due to my perseverance and persistent follow up with him that he had to release these funds. I am told that I am the only MP who has managed to get large funds to the tune of Rs 2500 crores from the Centre.

I can only say that I have worked hard to achieve overall development of Pune and to get the necessary funds and benefits for my constituency. My competition is with myself. I have a track record and performance which speaks for itself. I do admit that progress in some areas is not satisfactory, but as they say, Rome was not but built in a day.

There are some important plans in the pipeline at various stages that will prove to be instrumental in making Pune a city with adequate infrastructure and civic amenities to tide us up to 2020 and beyond!

I just hope that you will give me chance to follow them through and reach the Vision 2020 goal !

I urge you to make an informed choice.

Please do make an effort and come out and vote on the 23rd April 2009.
Suresh Kalmadi

Today is the last day of campaigning and we are almost on the eve of the elections. Yesterday, the Congress – NCP – RPI alliance, organised the last and largest public meeting for Mrs. Sonia Gandhi.

There was much excitement in the ranks of the party and the mood was buoyant; everyone was eager to hear what the Chairperson of the UPA and our leader Mrs Sonia Gandhi had to say.

The atmosphere was electric as more than 50,000 party workers and people thronged to hear her speak. And they were not disappointed. Smt Sonia Gandhi gave a fiery speech, extolling the performance of the UPA at the Centre for the last 5 years, convincing all present that the performance of the UPA and its image as the most secular and stable alliance to lead India for the next 5 years will hold us in good stead.

I am grateful to Mrs. Gandhi for having instilled a fresh energy and confidence in the party ranks. Her presence has sent a positive message of her support and confidence in me.

She interacted a lot with the crowd, waved to them from the stage. In fact, while leaving, she even stopped several times on her way out to greet party workers. She even stopped her car, got out and came back to talk to the people. I am touched by these gestures and thankful to her for coming to Pune to campaign for me.

With Mr. Rahul Gandhi coming to Pune at the very beginning, Mr. Sharad Pawar and Mr. Ashok Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, kick starting my election campaign, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh and Mr. R. R. Patil backing it and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi lending her support by coming to Pune and addressing the party and electorate on last day of my campaign, I feel confident of doing well.

Suresh Kalmadi

It’s been too long since I wrote on my blog last. The past week has been hectic as expected. Campaigning has been going well and am gratified to see that there are people who have appreciated the work that I and party have done in the last few years. We’re almost on the eve of the elections. It is really encouraging to see that the youth is very keen to cast their ballot and their excitement is almost palpable. I can feel it when I interact with them. And I am even happier to note that quite a few of them have been volunteers for the CYG.

Campaigning is at its peak now. NCP leaders like Shri R R Patil, Shri Dilip Walse Patil, Shri Govindrao Adik have come and campaigned for me. Shri Sharad Pawar came thrice and I am grateful to him for that. Shri Vilasrao Deshmukh along with Shri Balasaheb Shivarkar, Shri Sharad Ranpise and Shri Ulhas Pawar also came to support my campaign. RPI party workers have been working hard under the guidance of Shri Parshuram Wadekar. With support coming from all sides and all whole Congress party and alliances working wholeheartedly together, I am sure of doing well.

Recently, I have been at the brunt of attacks on various subjects from my worthy opponents. I suppose in a Lok Sabha elections this is expected. But I am surprised that their only agenda seems to be attacking me and my ‘supposed’ non performance.

It’s all there for everyone to see. As I have always maintained, development is a continuous process. Expectations, needs are ever rising and planning should be undertaken for long term. That’s why we planned the Vision 2020 document. Not for the next 5 years, but for a Pune in 2020! Long term plans are exactly that – long term, in that they take time to get completed. But planning has to start now, which we are doing in many cases. My appeal to contribute to Vision 2020 received a great response and again I was pleasantly surprised to see many youngsters sending suggestions. Most of these have been incorporated in the document…. Vision 2020 is truly a ‘Citizen’s document’. Please do visit my website to see the manifesto.

Suresh

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

Campaigning has started in the right spirit, with Mr. Sharad Pawar kick starting the campaign with his first public Sabha in Congress house where he announced his full support to the Congress party and to me. He came again on Saturday and reiterated his stand to a packed audience after which he addressed and enthused karyakartas of the NCP to work hard to ensure victory for the Congress – NCP – RPI alliance in Pune. I am happy and grateful to him for his strong support and backing. With unstinted support like this and the hard work being put in by all the party workers, there is no doubt that we will win all the 4 seats in Pune district. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Ashok Chavan is also campaigning for the alliance throughout Maharashtra and the alliance will win with at least 40 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra. 

My wife Meera, is also doing her bit and has her calendar full!

 I am having a press conference to showcase the use of technology in my campaign today at Congress House at 3 pm. I have learnt a lot about computers and the use of the web. Words like internet, website, social networking sites, blog etc were ‘greek’ to me a couple of years back. But I learnt a lot during the Commonwealth Youth Games and after updating my website, I think I am now kind of familiar with the ‘lingo’. I do take help in typing for the blog. My team and I discuss web updates everyday and they upload the status on Facebook and Twitter and answer my mails after speaking to me. They also update the website everyday.

 I kind of enjoy the experience…. and I have realized why the youngsters can’t do without the net.  The reach and scope of this medium is fantastic!

 Suresh Kalmadi

As I was making preparations to file my nomination from the Pune constituency for the 15^th Lok Sabha elections yesterday, I was struck with a sense of déjà vu. Thousands of thoughts crowded the mind and I was left with a feeling like going in for an examination!

But today, after a good night’s sleep, a short, brisk walk in the compound of my house coupled with some serious introspection, I feel invigorated and positive. The feeling of going for an examination has disappeared. In fact, the feeling now is that I have passed  with fairly satisfactory marks since I have studied hard for the exam for the last few years.

 I can truthfully say that I have tried my level best and succeeded to a great extent in contributing to the fast track development that has happened in Pune in the last few years. I still have unfinished business though…. I still have miles to go!

Pune has received the maximum funds from the JNNURM scheme of the Government of India and many important and essential projects for the city have been initiated. I pushed hard for the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held here as I knew that this would bring huge funds for development of the city infrastructure. The CYG were indeed a defining moment in Pune’s history.

I am meeting so many people everyday and am really touched when people wish me well and bless me wherever I go. Just yesterday, I met a handicapped man, who has decorated his vehicle and is going to campaign for me all over the city. Today, I had lunch with the residents of the Kashewadi slums, which was delicious and served with much affection and love. It was a special experience.

I firmly believe in the words spoken by Baba Amteji. He says and I quote,

“No one can defeat the person who competes with himself.” I can only say that actions speak louder than words and the work done by me and the Congress party speaks volumes.

Punekars have always supported me in all my endeavors. I seek your blessings and support at this time as well.

Suresh Kalmadi

My children and party workers have been telling me forever to create a blog, but my other responsibilities take too much of my time and I never got down to doing it! However, after having been told the benefits and reach of this medium, especially with the youth, I finally decided to allocate some time to myself!

It feels good to pen down my thoughts for the day…. the good parts, the not so good parts. My schedule now is crazy…. Meetings after meetings, speeches after speeches, hand shakes, press conferences, padyatras, rallies…. Its mind boggling! I kind of enjoy it though.. gives me a chance to meet so many people in every part of the city. It is a profoundly humbling experience when men, women, youngsters come up and shake my hand, thank me for any little thing that I’ve done that has eased their lives, bless me, hug me, touch me and wish me a long life. Their actions are genuine and come from the heart and that is what gives me the extra adrenaline to continue doing what I do with the same drive and determination. I do get really tired sometimes but my training as an Indian air force pilot comes in handy and I can push my mind and body to work more. At such times I always remember my father, who worked tirelessly for long hours especially when it came to social work.

Sometimes I also experience brickbats. It feels terrible to hear uncomplimentary things about oneself… I am human after all. But when I think about it, I realize that someone will be unhappy about not receiving some benefits and the displeasure is absolutely justified. I do try to rectify the lacunae.

One of the things I especially enjoy during elections is ‘hanging out’ with the youngsters. It is incredible how aware and well read they are about everything. The exposure that they get through the electronic media is incredible and they use this medium to the hilt. They come up with great, forward looking new ideas and suggestions. Interaction with them makes my mind alert and the fatigue disappear!

Another good thing about elections is that I am in Pune more and get to spend more time with the family. Meera is a silent pillar of strength and makes sure I eat on time and eat the ‘right things’. Nandita, my daughter in law and Sumeer, my son make sure we all eat together. Payal, my daughter and Aditya, her husband, also join us most of the time. Everyone is so busy in their respective careers, it feels nice that they take time out for me.