4 min readPuneMay 12, 2024 11:26 AM IST
First published on: May 11, 2024 at 04:48 PM IST
After his resounding success in Maharashtra’s Kasba Peth Assembly bypoll last year, the Congress’s Ravindra Dhangekar is back in the fray. This time he is taking on the BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi’s Vasant More for the Pune Lok Sabha seat.
Dhangekar spoke to The Indian Express ahead of the May 13 election. Excerpts from the interview:
Why should Puneites vote for you?
Ravindra Dhangekar: In the 30 years of my political career, I have worked keeping the common citizen in mind and pushed for the required social work. I have been meeting Punekars over the years to listen to their questions and have always tried to give them justice. It has been a year since the residents of Kasba Peth helped me get to the Vidhan Sabha. So in the last year, I have consistently raised important problems of Pune in various ways in the Vidhan Sabha. I protested when it was needed and held a fast at the commissioner’s office. This way I have consistently raised Punekar’s voice and hence have established a connection with them. I am closely aware of issues of basic infrastructure and issues of women, students and education, farmers and senior citizens. The manifesto released by the Congress promises Rs 1 lakh to women, loan waivers for farmers and job guarantees for students.
All Congress leaders who were elected in the Vidhan Sabha elections have kept their promises. Now again, we are giving our word to Punekars to consistently work for their betterment, to solve Pune’s questions and to increase the pride of Pune and Punekars. So I request Punekars from the bottom of my heart to vote for me.
What are your three biggest promises to Punekars?
Ravindra Dhangekar: I promise to work on environmental issues, solve traffic problems and provide basic infrastructure to the city. Be it the Vetal Tekdi or Balbharti road project, I am of the opinion that development should not come at the cost of the environment. Nature cannot be bought with money. We need to conserve and protect nature. I will make sure not once is a sledgehammer used to destroy the hills of Pune.
What are your main allegations against BJP, which has had two MPs in the last 10 years in Pune?
Ravindra Dhangekar: It is the need of the hour to look into what the BJP actually gave to Pune in the last 10 years. Questions about the metro and basic infrastructure in Pune remain. There were big promises about bringing down gas cylinder prices, a fight against black money, etc. If we fall prey to these promises again, it will cost us in the coming years. Inflation has increased so much, it has become difficult for a common citizen to get by through the month. In the country today, all the four pillars of a healthy democracy have been hijacked. Four Supreme Court judges had called a press conference to express concerns about democracy in India. But the BJP is not bothered; it is just contesting elections based on religion. It is busy distracting citizens from real issues and spending money on advertisements to show their faces everywhere.
What is your strategy this election and how is the response from Punekars to your campaigns?
Ravindra Dhangekar: I am drawing support wherever I go. There is a strong response from people across the city. So I am confident Punekars will make me win and I will lead in all parts (of the constituency).
Do you think Prime Modi’s rally in Pune will affect your chances?
Ravindra Dhangekar: Punekars have heard PM Modi for the last 10 years. All the promises he made at the top of his voice have not been fulfilled. The BJP gave nothing new to Pune. Whatever Pune is today is all thanks to the Congress. Pune is a hub of education, culture and tourism. In the last 10 years, nothing new happened.
All Congress leaders who were elected in the Vidhan Sabha elections have kept their promises. Now again, we are giving our word to Punekars to consistently work for their betterment, to solve Pune’s questions and to increase the pride of Pune and Punekars. (File/ Express photograph by Arul Horizon) 
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