BJP Hopes to Make a Clean Sweep in Yelahanka This Time Too

BJP is looking to win all the wards in Yelahanka constituency this time too like it did in 2010. .

BENGALURU: BJP is looking to win all the wards in Yelahanka constituency this time too like it did in 2010. 

A huge network of BJP workers and party MLA S R Vishwanath and his followers are putting in great efforts towards this end.

Congress and JD(S) have also launched an intense campaign and are likely to snatch one or two wards.

None of the sitting corporators are in the fray due to the change in reservation and it has come as a blessing for BJP to escape the anti-incumbency factor. There are more women candidates as three seats are reserved for them. But a majority of the contestants come from families with political background with their parents, brothers or relatives actively identifying with one or the other party.

MLA Vishwanath has fielded his wife Vanishree from Chowdeshwari ward and this has caused a lot of heart burn among women BJP workers. Moreover, Vanishree has enjoyed power as a ZP member and president. The general complaint among voters about non-accessibility of Vishwanath is another factor that could go against Vanishree. Congress has fielded Padmavati, wife of former councillor Amaranath, who was in BJP till recently.

In Kempegowda ward, BJP has fielded Chandramma, wife of nominated corporator Kempegowda. Pitted against her is Congress’ H Dhanalakshmi, wife of former president of Yalahanka City Municipality M Krishnamurthy. There is a close fight between both. The shifting of sitting corporator Y N Ashwath to Congress might help Dhanalakshmi.

In Yelahanka Satellite Town, BJP has fielded M Satish, president of newspaper hawkers association. Vishwanath who has taken personal interest in getting ticket to Satish is confident of his victory. Businessman Subbanna of Congress is challenging Satish.

Story of Woes

Located in the northern tip of Bengaluru, Yelahanka assembly constituency is among the largest in BBMP limits with a combined area of close to 31 sqkm. Situated close to Bengaluru Rural district, the constituency offers a blend of urban and rural areas.

The constituency is home to Air Force Station, Border Security Force’s training centre, Central Reserve Police Force and Karnataka State Reserve Police.

Though the constituency has been witnessing rapid development with many residential projects coming up here, some areas of Yelahanka face issues pertaining to water supply. “We have no proper water supply and are forced to pay for the water we drink. Sometimes we receive BWSSB water once every 20 days. We largely depend on borewells,” said Nanjundappa, a resident.

The ongoing infrastructure projects, while being a sign of world-class amenities that will come up in the region, are currently a breeding ground for various diseases, complain residents.

They say this is because waste disposal is a major problem. While many people choose to blame BBMP for it, Nagaraj S V, a resident  of Kempegowda ward, said even people should be blamed for dumping waste.He said that drain water tends to accumulate at the Airport Road Bridge near Raitharasanthe, causing problems.

Attur Layout, according to residents, is the worst ward in the constituency. They also allege that elected representatives tend to ensure their vote-bank is safe when taking up civil works. “Very often development works are only taken up in select localities,” said Geetha, a music teacher.

The poor state of interior roads, regular power disruptions in several localities  and open drains are the other common complaints.

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