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NEWS: Chetan Nagarkar gets fresh endorsementAlexander Gouda, Fernão News Network | June 15 2017Chetan Nagarkar pictured outside a local apartment
- (Fortaleza, Fernão)
Chetan Nagarkar's campaign received yet another boost today after it was revealed that the General Union of Workers had officially endorsed him in the race to become the next Mayor of Fortaleza. Chetan has been a highly visible and approachable figure on the campaign trail virtually every second of the day, and that track record extended to today as the Mayoral candidate only took a short break after his town hall event before visiting a local apartment complex.
Inside the multi-storey apartment the Mayoral candidate was seen shaking hands and taking photographs with local residents before attending a meeting of the local association, during which he listened to their complaints about the local economy, public services and the deteriorating quality of local housing before reaffirming his earlier commitment to construct affordable and quality housing for purchase and rent in the city.
Afterwards, Chetan gave an impromptu Q&A session that quickly excelled expectations after the invitation blew up on social media, with the original venue quickly changed to accommodate the new arrivals. During the Q&A session, the RGA politician was immediately asked about the poor state of housing in the city, and the trend towards increased rent prices.
"Thomas, I would just like to start off by thanking you for asking me such an important question and of course thank everyone here for attending this rather improvised Q&A session.
I believe that the quality of housing in this city is unacceptable, and it is a national shame that some individuals are trying to profit from the current housing situation by increasing rents. It is why I pledged to construct affordable and quality residential properties for purchase and rent and work together with the local council to reduce homelessness and replace the appalling slums that have been set-up since the fall of the dictatorship."
Chetan then responded to a question on the local economy and how he will tackle unemployment and his views on international investment.
"It is my firm belief that we need to support our small and medium sized businesses to succeed, as they are the real backbones of our local economy. A few days ago I visited a wonderful little bakery that had reopened since the end of the civil war and alongside similar complaints about the housing situation they also noted that local transport infrastructure and the lack of even the most basic of public services seriously hindered their growth prospects for the future.
If elected Mayor I will work together with the local council to improve local transport infrastructure and give our public services the resources they need to succeed to ensure that our businesses and local communities have a safe and reliable environment to operate in, live and thrive."
Moving onto the second question Chetan said.
"I recognise that Fortaleza needs to attract international investment in order for the economy to grow, but unlike other more conservative candidates I don't believe that attraction needs to be built on the back of the Fortalezan taxpayer, something that will happen if Nick Haverkmap gets his way and starts handing over infrastructure projects to his friends in the Chamber of Commerce.
If I am elected Mayor of Fortaleza I will seek to attract these companies by investing in social housing, properly funding our public services and repairing and modernising our local infrastructure in order to establish Fortaleza as a modern, energetic and hard-working city ripe for international investment, and all without the need to copy from Haverkmap's playbook and make closed-door arrangements with the Chamber of Commerce."
After fielding several other questions on subjects ranging from healthcare, education and welfare Chetan finally spoke about his recent endorsement.
"I am incredibly pleased to receive the official backing of the General Union of Workers and I will work hard to honour that endorsement if I am elected Mayor. I think it highlights the long-standing commitment myself and other RGA members have made to improving the condition of working and middle class citiens across the country."
In his final remarks, Chetan Negarkar also spared a few moments to talk about one of his RGA colleagues.
"I would just like to take a few minutes to talk to you about a great friend of mine Reza Kassem. Reza is extremely committed to addressing the issues that Fernao faces. That's what he did as Mayor of Miliband, and I can only hope I'll be lucky enough to have the chance to do so here in Fortaleza. I hope that the people of Sarkar will reelect Reza as their Senator.
I am going to have to leave now in order to attend a local canvassing campaign with local party members, but a local staffer will remain behind to ensure that everyone that wishes to can sign-up to volunteer with the local campaign over the next few days.”
Chetan Nagarkar is still trailing Nick Haverkmap in the polls but staffers are confident that his more populist message and energetic ground game will close the gap and give them a surprise victory.