Locals draw up charter of demands

Fed up of listening to political rhetoric, residents of H east and west wards came up with a charter demanding redressal of problems they face.

Putting forwards lists of concerns for the next batch of corporators at DNA’s My Locality My Voice campaign, residents sent out a strong signal that they will consider ability of candidates in solving ground zero issues than hearing hollow promises before exercising their franchise.

“We are more concerned about local issues. We want the candidates from our area to look into the Charter of Demands and work accordingly over the next term,” Jawahar Thadani, chairman of Carter Road Khar Residents’ Association, said. The association also handed out a 15-point charter to panelists present at the event.

Bharat Vishwakarma, chief of Vakola ALM, seconded Thadani and said it is not political ‘lectures’, but actual ground-level work that matters the most. “The needs of a high-rise and those of slums are different. Candidates should think on this line instead of showering common rhetoric,” Vishwakarma said. MNS’s H-West ward chief, Tushar Aphale, and Ajeet Manyal, who is contesting crucial polls from Ward 95 on a BJP ticket, said the parties were ready to solve the issues mentioned in the charter.