Civic activists from the city have come together to form Pune Nagrik Sanghatana (PNS) to give a non-political alternative to the voters. About 20 candidates of PNS will be contesting the forthcoming municipal corporation election. The activists feel that the common man’s opinions take a back seat in party politics, but PNS would give prime importance to people’s views. Co-ordinator of PNS Vivek Velankar told Bhagyashree Kulthe how the forum plans to fight muscle and money power to reach out to the masses and what changes it would bring if elected.
How will PNS give an alternative to people who are fed up with party politics?
Corporators of all the political parties do not take people in confidence while deciding on development issues. There is no communication between the people’s representatives and those who elect them. We will change this system. People will be our priority. Our candidates, if elected, will conduct the ward sabha once in every three months to get feedback and suggestions from people. The common man has to be at the centre of development, but our politicians have unfortunately forgotten this.
What changes do you plan to bring?
First of all, we wish to strengthen the sources of income of the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation) without putting burden on people by increasing taxes. This can be done by putting a check and control on expenditure and take strict action to recover outstanding taxes. There are citizens who escape or evade taxes.
Then there are those who are staying in the PMC building for many years but their rents have not yet been revised. We also need to find an alternative to octroi. Also, to bring in more transparency, we would focus on digitisation of tendering and work order process for various development works. Strengthening public transport system would be our priority and we are not in favour of any construction on the hills.
How do you plan to fight money and muscle power?
It is a general belief that elections are won by money and muscle power, which means voters are purchasable. However, we believe that if given a fair alternative, people will vote for the right candidates. So, we wish to test whether money and muscle power is a myth or truth and whether people are actually looking for a better option.
What are the criteria for selecting candidates? Do you think PNS’s candidature will affect other political parties?
We have chosen people who have worked for the progress of their respective areas and have a clean image. They are mostly professionals who have simultaneously been active in the development of their area. PNS will surely affect the political parties and their candidates, and also compel these parties to include ‘real’ issues in their manifestos.
