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

THANKFUL TO MRS SONIA GANDHI…..

THANKFUL TO MRS SONIA GANDHI…..

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

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