BENGALURU: Carved out of Yelahanka and Jayamahal constituencies after the delimitation of constituencies in 2008, Hebbal is set for a high-stakes fight between Rehman Sharief of Congress and Y A Narayanaswamy of BJP.
Though JD(S) has fielded its candidate, Ismail Sharief, the fight is mainly between Congress and BJP. However, Ismail Sharief’s presence is causing a few worries for Congress of a split in votes of Muslim community, which has a significant presence in the constituency.
The bypoll is necessitated due to the death of Jagadish Kumar of BJP, a close confidant of former minister Katta Subramanya Naidu. Kumar was fielded in 2013 as Katta could not contest due to taint of corruption.
Hebbal is one of the high profile constituencies in Bengaluru as it is home for many big names like former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Union Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. Hebbal has an entire layout for the judges and many prestigious academic institutions including ISRO Centre and an Agriculture University.
The constituency is a mix of modern layouts, middle class pockets and slums. While Sanjaynagar and RT Nagar are well developed layouts, the constituency has large slums like Chamundinagar, Kousarnagar and Matadahalli, Dalit Colonies — Dalit colonies in Shakti Nagar, Guddadahalli and Geddalahalli which are crying for civic amenities.
The constituency comprises eight BBMP wards - Radhakrishna Temple, Sanjaynagar, Gangenahalli, Ganganagar, Hebbal, Vishwanatha Nagenahalli, Manorayanapalya and Jayachamarajendra Nagar.
Political History
Hebbal Bypoll
Bengaluru Development Minister K J George expressed confidence that Congress candidate Rahman Sharief would emerge victorious in the Hebbal bypoll. He was responding to queries from reporters after inaugurating the International Water Loss Conference. When asked about the recent disgruntlement in the party over the Hebbal candidate, he said, “Congress is a democratic party and everyone has a right to express their opinion,” he said.
Know Your Candidates
Y A Narayanaswamy (BJP)
A post graduate in Engineering (ME), Narayanaswamy is a Kolar-based sitting BJP MLC of Teachers’ Constituency. The 51-year-old leader is engaged in engineering consultancy services and has interests in farming. Narayanaswamy is actively engaged in taking up the academic issues and problems of the farmers. Being at the fag end of his term in the Council, Narayanaswany is eager to emerge as true representative of the people by contesting for the Assembly polls.
Rahman Sharief (Cong)
The 33-year-old grandson of veteran Congress leader and former Union minister Jaffer Sharief has entered the poll battle from Hebbal for the second time. He was defeated in 2013 by Jagadish Kumar of BJP. The young Sharief has a Diploma in Enterprises and Entrepreneurs from London School of Business and Finances. He is a Director in a Private Limited Company and is actively engaged in social activities for improving education level in Muslim community.
Ismail Sharief (JDS)
He is a political greenhorn as he is making a debut into electoral politics by contesting the Hebbal by-poll. The high school drop out is a businessman. Ismail Sharief is said to be a close associate of JD(S) legislator Zameer Ahmed Khan. Ismail’s selection as the JD(S) candidate has come as a surprise for many leaders within the JD(S). But with party supremo H D Deve Gowda’s blessings Ismail is confident of making a strong entry into electoral politics.
Voter Profile
otal Number of Voters 2,26,697
Male 1,17,712
Female1,08,968
Others 17
The constituency has over 65,000 Muslim voters which explains as to why Congress and JD(S) have fielded Muslim candidates. Dalits, Vokkaligas and Kurubas are the other communities with significant presence.