PUNE - MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE ……

Campaigning for the 15th Lok Sabha elections stops today at 5 pm and

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

PUNE - DEVELOPMENT A CONTINUOUS PROCESS….

PUNE DEVELOPMENT A CONTINUOUS PROCESS….

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

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

Filing nomination Pune constituency for the 15th Lok Sabha elections

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