It’s quite aptly the battle of Amar Akbar and Antony. And the constituency has a sizeable population of Hindus, Muslims and Christians. With three candidates from three communities slugging it out, the key will be percentage of voter turnout from each community.
A new constituency, Bangalore Central, comprises newly carved-out assembly segments such as Sarvagnanagar and Mahadevapura and taken in Chamarajpet which was earlier in Bangalore South.
Among the segments, the most distinct is Mahadevapura which has diverse sections like farmers and techies and a mix of rich and poor. While there are huge tracts of agricultural lands where the primary occupation is agriculture, horticulture and sericulture, you also have software giants located here. When the realty sector was at its peak, swanky constructions dotted this area while the old world charm still remains in Whitefield.
Predominantly a Congress stronghold, Bangalore Central also has three assembly segments with the BJP. With a lot of CMC areas coming into the constituency, it has a plethora of civic problems, especially lack of basic amenities in the newly added areas. It also has a lot of slums.
H T Sangliana, who broke from the BJP and contesting on a Congress ticket has no doubt invited the wrath of staunch BJP voters for his pro-nuke deal stand. However, with the belt having a large Christian population, Sangliana has pinned hopes on his community.
There is a tough fight between Sangliana, BJP’s P C Mohan and JDS’ Zameer Ahmed Khan as all of them have tasted political success. With less than two weeks to go for voting, the poll pitch is taking different colours.
According to poll observers, here the voter mindset is different — vote for the community. The candidates are neither young nor spouting New Age jargon. It’s good, old-fashioned vote-bank politics.“The area has several slum pockets which can translate into votes. Though there is a sizeable IT crowd, the candidates have not explored it. The campaign is also very conventional and dull,’’ say observers.
