The Bharatiya Janata Party’s mayoral candidate for the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Suniti Mund on Tuesday asserted to take the Capital city to number one position in the country in terms of cleanliness if she is elected.
In an exclusive interview with OTV, Mund opened up about the reason behind her embracing the saffron party and her vision for Smart City Bhubaneswar. She is pitted against BJD’s Sulochana Das and Congress’ Madhusmita Acharya in the upcoming poll for BMC mayor.
“I had envisioned a beautiful city. If people elect me to the post of Mayor, I will fulfil the vision of the beautiful city,” she said.
“Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi carried out so many development activities for Bhubaneswar during her stint as commissioner of BMC. I will take forward her works which remained unfulfilled,” Mund said.
“When Aparajita Sarangi was BMC commissioner, Bhubaneswar was ranked 5th among cities in the country for cleanliness. Now the city has slipped to the 144th position and the party which is in power failed to take the city from No 5 to No 1. I promise, if voted to power, I will take the city to Number 1 position. This is not only the dream of Aparajita Sarangi, but all the residents of the city too,” she added.
Speaking about the manifold problems faced by the Smart City, the writer and journalist said, “In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had declared Bhubaneswar as a Smart City. However, a complete Smart City has not taken shape as yet. Still there are problems in sewage system, waterlogging during rains, while there are instances of children being washed away in storm water.”
“Education, health and sanitation still elude the residents in slum areas of the city. During elections hollow promises are being made. Schemes after schemes are announced, but nobody goes to the root to access the successful implementation,” she added.
She went on to say, “Political parties are playing with the sentiments of the people. Efforts are made to buy them. They have dignity. They must get the rights which they are entitled to.”
Speaking of women safety, she said, “Women are not safe in Bhubaneswar. The NCRB report also states that Bhubaneswar stands at second spot in crime against women in the country. Despite 22 years of rule, the Capital city is not safe.”
Speaking about women’s empowerment on the occasion of International Women’s Day, she said, “Women’s empowerment should not be limited to a few persons.”
Explaining further about her vision, she said, “Parks will be developed at different places of the city and programmes will be launched for the recreation of elderly people. Besides, plans and programmes will be made for speedy disposal of bodies of stray animals in the city.”
Speaking on her decision to join BJP, she said, “I was inclined towards nationalist ideology since my childhood. My father was involved with RSS. I used to visit various RSS camp with him.”