By IANS,
Mumbai : Independent candidate from Mumbai South Meera Sanyal Tuesday expressed her disappointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks on independents contesting the Lok Sabha elections.
At his press conference here Monday, Manmohan Singh had urged people not to vote for independent candidates since they had no chance of winning elections but served ate into the votes of other candidates.
“I would like to make it clear that this is a democratic country in which all citizens are allowed to contest. So I have decided to stand for elections,” Sanyal said at a press conference here.
Declining to comment further on the PM’s statement, Sanyal – the India head of ABN-Amro Bank, who is standing as an independent candidate – said that she wanted to represent the “beginning of a new change” for Mumbai.
In response to a question, Sanyal said that it was the horrific tragedy of the Nov 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks which proelled her into politics.
“I felt extremely troubled (on) why we are not geared for such incidents, and when they did occur, why we were so ill-equipped for it. We lack coordination at all levels,” she said.
There was a “lot of anger among Mumbaikars” and it was very easy to criticise the government and the system, but, Sanyal said, I decided to contribute in my way. Mumbaikars are different so they deserve to be treated better.”
Listing her priorities for Mumbai if elected, Sanyal said her efforts would be focussed on better infrastructure, public transport and security.
“This would include emphasis on the problems of the eight million local train commuters under horrifying conditions. Thought the railways are doing an excellent job, a lot more needs to be done,” she said.