I am not an idiot: Cong mayoral candidate

Lucknow, Oct 19 (UNI) ''I am not an idiot, therefore, I am contesting the elections,'' Congress' mayoral candidate for the prestigious Lucknow seat said today.

Talking to reporters here, Dr Mansoor Ahmed clarified that in Greek, 'idiot' meant a person who did not care for his city or country. ''Since I care for my city, I am contesting the elections despite being an apolitical person,'' he explained.

A former IPS officer and vice-chancellor of the Agra University, Dr Ahmed also refuted the allegations of Samajwadi Party mayoral candidate Dr Madhu Gupta that he was a resident of Agra. ''I have been living in the city ever since I retired from police service.

Even during service, I was associated with several social works in Lucknow,'' he maintained.

He claimed that the problems of potable water and cleanliness were his main electoral planks. ''There was a time when films were shot on the banks of river Gomti. Now it resembles a nullah,'' he regretted.

Union minister and former city mayor Dr Akhilesh Das said in principle, the Congress has decided against fielding politicians for mayor elections in the city. ''Dr Ahmed had not approached us for the elections, we had in fact contacted him with the offer,'' he said.

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