Bengaluru: If the failure of Congress to find a right candidate to grab Malleswaram from BJP is any indication, it seems BJP candidate Dr Aswath Narayan C N will have no hassles to retain this seat. Congress had selected Minister for Planning, Statistics, Science and Technology M R Seetharam to contest against Dr Aswath Narayan. Seetharam, a two-time MLA and presently MLC, has declined to contest the election. Seetharam had defeated Dr Aswath Narayan in 2004 by a margin of 9,877 votes. Earlier, he won against JD(U) candidate M Raghupathy with a huge margin of 18,035 votes in 1999. But he got defeated in 2008 by BJP candidate Dr Aswath Narayan by a majority of 8,183 votes in 2008. However, Seetharam did not contest in 2013. Congress nominated him to Legislative Council in 2012. BJP candidate Aswath Narayan defeated B K Shivaram by a margin of 21,066 votes in 2013.
Now, the Congress selected SreerapadRenu, the grandson of second chief minister of Karnataka late KengalHanumanthaiah. The party did not give him time even to think about his prospects of winning from Malleswaram. “I have to accept whatever comes in my way. I will work hard to win from this constituency but it will depend on the God. I am confident of winning this seat despite small hassles. I don’t find any time constraint to carryout campaign to seek votes,’’ says SreepadaRenu.
The elections held to the Bruhat Bengaluru MahanagaraPalike (BBMP) Council in 2015, the incumbent MLA from Malleswaram has proved his popularity among the voters by ensuring the success of BJP candidates in five among the seven wards. Congress candidates succeeded in winning from Subramanyanagar and Gayathri Nagar wards while BJP candidates won from Aramane, Mathikere, Malleswaram, RajamahalGuttahalli and Kadumalleswara wards.
The residents, especially those who visit Sankey Tank for a stroll in the morning and evening, want the MLA to press the government to cancel the allocation of forest land adjacent to it to a private builder. They want the elected representative to ensure greenery in the vicinity.
“The builder wants to construct a huge residential and commercial complex by chopping off hundreds of trees. Cutting of trees will deprive shelter to thousands of birds,’’ says Rajasekhar R, a resident.
Hundreds of vendors who were relocated want the elected representative to compel the contractor to expedite the construction work at Malleswaram flower, fruit and vegetable market. The 50-year-old market was demolished a few years ago to make way for multi-storied complex.
Meanwhile, the BJP candidate is in the forefront in seeking votes. He actively involved in organisingJanapara Shakthi meetings not only in Malleswaram but also across the state. The speciality of this programme is inviting suggestions from public and include those valid suggestions in the constituency-specific manifesto.
“I have worked on various projects like moderniging Anganwandi schools, the dhobi ghat. The emphasis has been on good roads, pedestrian safety and on environment too. Banning plastic, encouraging use of organics and ensured Sankey Tank is vibrant with various facilities. In Bengaluru, we should focus a lot on our lakes, streamlining traffic and waste disposal. We need more citizen participation and transparency in governance,’’ says Dr Aswath Narayan.
