Old equations central to new contest

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Bangalore Central is a new constituency culled out of areas from the old North and South seats

MK Madhusoodan

Bangalore:
Bangalore Central might be a new constituency that has come into existence only after the delimitation exercise. But that has not stoppedthe Indian National Congress from thinking that it stands a sure chance in the constituency. is sure bet.

At least that is the impression that one gains from the struggle within the Congress for the party ticket from here.The party's confidence appears to stem from the fact that the constituency largely comprises areas that once fell under the Bangalore North constituency which was believed to be a Congress bastion, till eight-time MP Jaffer Sharief lost to BJP's HT Sangliana in 2004 elections.

Sangliana and Sharief are now the main contenders for the Congress ticket from Bangalore Central. There are also a few other aspirants. AICC general secretary BK Hariprasad, former Union Ministers CM Ibrahim and Margaret Alva and former state ministers J Alexander and A Krishnappa are some of them.

Sangliana defied the BJP whip and extended his support to the UPA government in the trust vote over the Indo-US Nuclear deal in 2008. The switchover might stand him in good stead in getting the party ticket.
But there are several factors that may go against him. The are is seen to be a Sharief turf. With a sizeable Vokkaliga population there is also a demand to field SM Krishna, former chief minister, from the constituency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has decided to field PC Mohan, the former MLA from Chickpet. He hails from a business family and the segment has a sizeable section of voters from business community. The BJP feels that his candidature is a safe bet against both Sangliana and Sherief.

Former minister and sitting MLA from Chamarajpet Zameer Ahmed is the JD(S) nominee for the constituency.

There is a substantial chunk of Muslim votes, especially Chamarajapet, Sarvagnanagar, Shivajinagar, and Shantinagar. Tamils are also a key factor going in his favour.

A "real" triangular fight appears to be on the cards.