BENGALURU: Tuesday morning, around 11 am Jeevanahalli Circle in Banaswadi, Bengaluru wears a
deserted look. The large migrant population from the neighbouring states, is, as usual out at work. But just 15 minutes later, the emptiness is filled with a crowd--people surfaces from nowhere, like a wave. It’s a procession of BJP candidate PC Mohan’s taking the area by storm.
“I’m all for Modi. He has taken a tough stand on Pakistan—the border issues,” says Manjunath, an owner of a small provision store near the circle, seemingly convinced by the BJP leaders who address an impromptu street corner on the “good work” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Today India commands lot of respect in the world,” says Manjunath, almost repeating what he has just heard.
In this cosmopolitan constituency of Bangalore Central, mostly dominated by middle classes, Modi is a factor, much more than the local candidate. “It is an election for PM Modi—I’m just the messenger,” BJP’s PC Mohan is candid, also because its PM Modi’s image and charisma that he hopes will see him through, this election. Not his own work as a sitting MP or the pull of the lotus symbol.
Mohan’s task, however, may not be easy. His nearest rival, Rizwan Arshad, is certainly not giving him a cake walk. The Congress quite cannily fielded young Arshad, an MLC, from the Central Bangalore Parliamentary constituency. Obviously, keeping the sizable linguistic-and-religious-minority vote-bank in mind.
Thirty-nine-year-old Arshad is pitching his “local connect” with fervor. If it’s PM Modi and national security for Mohan, Arshad is promising to raise problems of Bangalore Central in the Lok Sabha. He also working round the clock, addressing six to seven meetings a day. “That is the advantage of being young. You can work till you drop,” says Rizwan, in a tangential reference his opponents age.
Rizwan’s war-room is buzzing with activity of the new kind. No longer can public meeting suffice, candidates need social media warriors to supplement their traditional campaign.In 2014, however, in a similar contest, BJP PC Mohan had trounced Rizwan by a margin of 1.30 lakh votes, making full use of the Modi wave of 2014.
It’s a thorny contest, coloured by a bit of ego fight.Two-term MP, Mohan is not taking any chances. “I start my campaign day addressing morning walkers, tap into fresh minds. Manage to put in 16 hours of public meetings,” he adds.But, this is also the constituency from which Prakash Raj is contesting as an independent candidate. Raj, with cinematic appeal and gift of the gab, will pull in some votes. His is a direct anti-Modi appeal that’s expected to cut into Rizwan’s votes.
“It is going to be a tough contest between the Congress and BJP, Prakash Raj is not so much a factor, except as a vote cutter” says political analyst Mohan Ram, a resident of Gandhi Nagar, part of the Bangalore Central constituency.
Of the eight assembly segments in the Bangalore Central LS seat, five are held by the Congress, the three by BJP. That’s what gives Rizwan, a slight edge and an air of confidence. The Congress could gain from the consolidation of Muslim, Christian and Dalit votes—that’s 50% of the constituency. Also, as the only Muslim candidate of the Congress across Karnataka, Rizwan is getting support from his party MLAs, particularly Shivajinagar MLA Roshan Baig.
Between all this, the Kannada Film Workers Artist Technicians Federation (KFWAT) Secretary KS Ravindranath, is surprisingly supporting Modi and not Prakash Raj. “This election is about giving
Mr Modi a second term,” he personally feels.
Not everyone agrees though. Some like, Gayatri M, an advocate of Karnataka High Court, thinks, demonitisation and GST have “killed the economy” and the “service class”, the rest she feels “is all propaganda”.“Look at the impact of GST, everything has become so expensive. We have to pay Rs 2 tax to buy a needle. Eating out has become prohibitiveky expensive. It hurting the middle class and not generating any jobs,” she says.
INTERVIEWS
We will win all 3 seats in city: PC Mohan How is the response to your campaign? We are getting a good response and people are willing to take leave and work for Modi. In 2014, we highlighted corruption in the UPA government and now we are going before the people with Modi’s achievements. Do you think consolidation of minority votes will have an impact on your prospects? This is my third election. In the last two polls, too, Congress-JD(S) worked together. It won’t have any impact as people are with us. How will actor Prakash Raj factor influence the election? Congress is my opponent and I have no idea about the independent candidate. In 2014, ‘Modi wave’ helped BJP. Do you think it is a factor now? Yes. People had faith in Modi and gave a clear majority to BJP. After becoming PM for five years, he has delivered and done what has not happened in the last 70 years and we will get over 300 seats across India and win all three seats in Bangalore. What about unemployment? Impact of GST and demonetisation? Who is talking about unemployment? Only Congress leaders are talking about it as they are unemployed. People have rejected them. | I’ll work for people of Bengaluru: Rizwan Arshad How is the response to your campaign? Response is very good and people also have sympathy for me as I lost the elections last time, but continued to work in the constituency. On the contrary, people have a feeling that the current MP is not seen in the constituency and they are disappointed with him. What are the issues you are highlighting? I am assuring people that I will be their voice in the Parliament and other forums and take up issues that matter to them. BJP is talking about national issues? If they are talking about national security, Modi government failed to secure the nation. How come 300kg RDX came into the country and Modi government was clueless. What action Modi has taken on failure of this intelligence? They also failed to provide jobs and unemployment rate is also very high. How will actor Prakash Raj factor influence the election? It will not have any impact. I wish him luck. Do you think JD(S) votes will transfer to Congress? Yes. We are working together. My campaign is all about development of Bengaluru and issues concerning people of the city. |