A rally for 'no-rallies' in Pune

With citizens continuing to suffer from numerous rallies, now being taken out only by the Congress hopefuls as they go for their interviews, 11 aspirants from the Chatuhshrungi-Gokhalenagar area have decided to refrain from the obtrusive show of strength and extravaganza.

The interviews for the party hopefuls willing to contest the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) elections have caused massive traffic snarls across the city. Many aspirants, in a show of strength, make their way to the Congress Bhavan along with their supporters taking out impromptu bike and car rallies.

Santosh Desai, one of the 11 hopefuls told DNA on Friday, “Since yesterday, people have been suffering because of the traffic jams. Citizens of our area, panel 11, have severely criticised these rallies causing them inconvenience.”

Post-complaints, the 11 Congress hopefuls held a meeting and decided to refrain from carrying out any rallies while going for interviews. “We went together for the interviews and came back,” he said.

Desai said that the senior party leaders who were conducting the interviews appreciated and welcomed our decision to come without supporters.

“We work for the people, and this decision was a step towards it,” he said.

Meanwhile, other aspirants continue to test citizens’ patience and inconvenience by taking out rallies and holding traffic in various parts of the city.