A resident fights for Gurgaon

The star campaigner for RS Rathee, Independent candidate for the Gurgaon Assembly seat, is HT’s popular series Gurgaon Collapsing.

The star campaigner for RS Rathee, Independent candidate for the Gurgaon Assembly seat, is HT’s popular series Gurgaon Collapsing.

HT Image

Armed with flex posters, a video documentary and a powerpoint presentation using the campaign’s photos, the 44-year-old political debutant and DLF Qutub Enclave RWA president filed his nomination for the seat on Sunday.

Rathee addressed a public rally on the Ramlila grounds in Bhim Nagar on Thursday, where the ground was dotted with posters highlighting the crumbling civic scenario.

“Gurgaon’s development is my sole mission and the impetus to join politics,” said Rathee, adding he would contest the polls against political heavyweights who have failed to provide basic civic amenities like roads, water, power, parking lots, sewerage and storm water drains and cleanliness.

“All these issues were highlighted by the media, especially HT. We have made use of the issues the series raised in our posters, documentary and presentation,” he added.

On September 6, hundreds of RWAs, social organisations and industrial forums had decided to field their own candidate for the October 13 poll to elect Gurgaon’s member of legislative assembly. After that, Rathee launched an extensive people-contact campaign under the banner of Mission Gurgaon Development, a non-political outfit.

This DLF City resident, a civil engineer by profession, has been active in the RWA circuit since 2000, and has no political background or backing.

He promised residents a unified civic and development body called Gurgaon Development Authority (GDA) if elected.

“Even a year of its formation, Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon has failed to act. GDA would ensure all decisions related to the development of Gurgaon were taken here and not in Chandigarh,” he added.

Dharam Sagar, chairman of Federation of RWAs said a most RWAs and social groups have extended support to Rathee. “The people are overwhelmed that someone from among them and a non-political candidate is fighting the elections this time.”