Candidates’ Absence Angers Pune Residents Ahead Of Lok Sabha Election

In a pre-election discussion session titled ‘Pune Jan Samwad’, organized by Parivartan, an NGO advocating for good governance, residents were left disappointed and frustrated as two key candidates for the Pune Lok Sabha seat, BJP’s Murlidhar Mohol and Congress’s Ravindra Dhangekar, failed to attend.

The event aimed to provide voters with an opportunity to interact with the potential candidates for their constituency. However, despite securing their time and receiving confirmation letters, Mohol and Dhangekar were absent from the session. Instead, candidates Vasant More from VBA and Col Suresh Patil (retd) attended.

Over 150 residents participated in the session, raising various issues such as public transport, riverfront development, and unemployment. However, due to the absence of the main candidates, most questions remained unanswered or received inadequate responses.

Organizers expressed disappointment, stating that they had carefully prepared questions, seeking input from citizens, but the attending candidates only addressed local issues, neglecting broader national concerns.

Residents voiced their frustration, stating that the absence of the candidates reflects a lack of accountability and a disregard for voters’ concerns. While representatives from Mohol’s team cited scheduling conflicts, organizers refuted this, emphasizing the importance of direct interaction with the candidates.

Dhangekar’s representative also cited scheduling challenges but did not confirm his presence at future events. Despite explanations, residents remain unsatisfied with the candidates’ absence and their representatives’ responses.