Bengaluru: Nelamangala is one of the assembly constituencies where Janata Dal (Secular) is expected to romp home in the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled for April/May 2018. JD(S) legislator Dr K Srinivasamurthy represents Nelamangala, a reserved constituency, in the State Assembly.
Nelamangala is considered as one of the backward constituencies as far as irrigation and drinking water supply are concerned. This is one of the assembly constituencies that is waiting for the state government to implement Yettinahole project. Being situated between Tumakuru and Bengaluru, Nelamangala is the hub of real estate business.
However, the voters of Nelamangala assembly constituency want the present incumbent to focus on providing drinking water and better infrastructure to make Nelamangala a livable place.
“We need basic amenities such as drinking water, better roads. We are waiting for a quite long time to have a good bus station here but in vain,’’ said Narayana Gowda, a resident of Nelamangala.
Expressing similar opinion, Krishna Murthy S, a resident, said it would be difficult for the passengers to board the bus during the monsoon since the premises of existing bus station becomes slushy whenever it rains.
“There are no basic amenities at Nelamangala bus station. I want the authorities concerned to take measures to improve the infrastructure at the bus station,’’ Krishna Murthy said.
However, JD(S) MLA Dr K Srinivasamurthy blames Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) authorities for the pathetic condition of the bus station.
“There is a dispute between the KSRTC authorities and Nelamangala Municipal Council over the land. The land belongs to Nelamangala Municipal Council but the KSRTC authorities claim that land belongs to them,’’ narrates Srinivasamurthy.
The MLA is confident of finding a solution to the problem. He has already held two meetings with the KSRTC authorities and Nelamangala Town Municipal Council to find a solution.
“I am planning to have a third meeting soon. The municipal council wants the KSRTC authorities to leave some space for the construction of a few shops for the benefit of poor fruit and vegetable vendors. I want to develop the bus station as one of the best bus stations in the state if the ongoing dispute is solved,’’ Srinivasamurthy said.
He defeated his nearest Congress rival Anjanamurthy by a margin of 15,103 votes in the Assembly elections held in 2013. JD(S) candidate polled 60,492 votes while Congress candidate Anjanamurthy got only 45,389 votes while BJP candidate M.V. Nagaraj was relegated to third position with 19,368 votes. Though there were 16 candidates in the fray, 13 of them have lost their deposit amount.
In 2008, BJP candidate defeated Congress candidate Anjanamurthy by a slender margin of 2,151 votes. BJP candidate M.V. Nagaraj polled 37,892 votes while Congress candidate got 35,741 votes. However, BJP candidate Nagaraj got only 19,368 votes, thus losing 16,524 votes he received in 2008.
Though BJP and Congress are trying their best to grab Nelamangala from the JD(S), the incumbent MLA is confident of romping home again without any hurdles in 2018.
“I have taken up Rs 300 crore worth developmental works in the constituency. Many roads have been upgraded. I have been working not only for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Tribes but also all communities. If I get elected in 2018, I want to take up under-ground drainage (UGD) works in Nelamangala city. A detailed project report (DPR) has already been completed. I assure the voters of Nelamangala city to work hard to meet their expectations. I have already fulfilled all the promises made during the campaign of last Assembly elections,’’ Srinivasamurthy said.
All in all, the JD(S) candidate is set to retain Nelamangala without any hassles.
