Indian-origin mayoral candidate wants to run London like ‘experienced CEO’

Indian-origin candidate Tarun Ghulati, who is challenging Sadiq Khan for a third term as London mayor, said citizens of the British capital were disappointed with all major political parties and he wanted to govern London acts like a “seasoned CEO” bringing profits to all.

The Derry-born businessman believes his investment expertise is what London needs to revive its fortunes as the “world’s global bank” by attracting the investment it needs. The 63-year-old was chosen as an independent candidate from a field of 13 contestants to run in local elections on May 2, when Londoners will vote for the mayor and members of the London Assembly.

“I see London as a unique global city, akin to a ‘global bank for the world,’ where diverse cultures come together and thrive,” Gulati said in a speech this week.

“As Mayor, I will build London’s balance sheet to make it the premier choice for investment, keeping all residents safe and prosperous. I will transform and manage London as effectively as an experienced CEO. London will become A profitable business, profitable for everyone and you will all be part of the journey and let us do this for our London, our home,” he said.

Safety on city streets is one of his other major priorities, including visible community policing and more police patrols.

“It’s about having enough police on patrol and having enough resources for police to do their job; it means ensuring that the streets where women walk at night are safe and that robbers and thieves are caught and punished,” he said.

Repealing some of Labor incumbent Sadiq Khan’s unpopular policies, such as the high costs associated with citywide ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) charges and low traffic neighborhoods (LTNs), is also a key policy agenda for Gulati.

“We don’t want ULEZs, LTNs or 20mph speed limits and a lot of other bad policies – climate change is happening and we need to mitigate its effects, but that can’t be done by having everyone live 15 minutes from home. places or penalize commuters in areas with climate change. What changes we need to make to public transport must be in step with public opinion and not imposed haphazardly on people’s wallets to deal with the cost of living.” , he has always called London home.

He was equally harsh on Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall, claiming she had failed to stop the mayor’s controversial policies despite her years as a member of the London Assembly.

“If political candidates did what they are supposed to do, I would not be a candidate for mayor. They have failed us. This is all about London and Londoners,” he declared.

Gulati’s other focus areas include creating more affordable homes, minimizing council tax, increasing focus on tourism in the UK capital and ensuring free school meals. He claimed to have canvassed various London boroughs to obtain the signatures needed to support his candidacy for mayor. Gulati also appears in the official mini-manifesto booklet, which costs £10,000 per candidate.

The winning mayoral candidate will be responsible for all local issues affecting Londoners, from transport and policing to housing and the environment.