In Bengaluru IT hub, amid water crisis, crumbling infra, BJP old-timer, Cong debutant locked in a keen tussle

In Mahadevapura, which has around 4.5 lakh voters, lay the heart of the IT sector that is integral to Bengaluru’s economic success. Trends of past Lok Sabha results show that out of the eight Assembly segments within it, significant leads in Mahadevapura and C V Raman Nagar (both SC-reserved seats) have always helped the BJP win Bangalore Central, a constituency whose population comprises 17% Muslims and nearly 5% Christians. The SCs, who have been part of the BJP’s support base here, account for 16% population.

Of its Assembly segments, Muslims are in sizable numbers in four – Chamarajpet, Shantinagar, Sarvagnanagar and Shivaji Nagar – where the Congress aims to score big, while the BJP is working hard to retain its votes there.

IT hub woes

Along with the SC community, the large apartment complexes in and around Mahadevapura and other parts of Central Bengaluru determine the poll results. This fiscal, Mahadevapura contributed Rs 1,039 crore in property taxes.

However, the area is affected by water scarcity, poor road infrastructure and public transport, among other issues. Crucially, it was at the centre of a recent water scarcity amid the alarming depletion of groundwater tables, which later prompted apartment complexes and residents to shell out more money to avail water tanker services.

While the major poll issue for the ruling Congress is the alleged injustice by the BJP-ruled Centre against the state over tax devolution, Mahadevapura residents complain about the state government not ploughing back enough of the tax revenues collected from it.

A technology professional, Prasad M, who lives in Mahadevapura, expressed his dissatisfaction over how the state government uses tax money collected from belts like Mahadevapura to fund its “freebies”.

“It is disheartening to see the Congress government funding its freebies through tax from areas like Mahadevapura. Just as the Congress accuses the Centre of being unfair to Karnataka on the tax sharing mechanism, so do we in Mahadevapura feel let down, as we contribute so much in tax, and yet road infrastructure, mobility and water systems of the area are falling apart,” he said.

Prasad also said, “Mansoor is a newbie. He is a fresh face who people in this area are getting to know slowly, which is a challenge.”

However, housewife Swara Manoj feels the state government’s five guarantee schemes will give the Congress an edge this year. “I feel women voters will swing towards the Congress, which will give it an upper hand. Although not all women have benefited from these schemes, numerous women from lower economic classes spread across the constituency will support the Congress for easing out their lives, especially with the Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti schemes. Moreover, electoral bonds and tax share injustice to Karnataka are issue that are slowly becoming talking points among rational voters,” she said.

Some voters believe the commissioning of Metro rail works (Phase 2A, Phase 3), suburban railway project, the penetration of digital infrastructure (UPI, banking, etc) by the Centre will work in the BJP’s favour.

Sangappa Mishra, a techie, said, “The Congress manifesto has nothing for the working class. They have only promised freebies, including cash incentives. This type of governance will only impact the middle class, for whom the BJP has improved the digital infrastructure, making banking more seamless, while the Metro and suburban rail projects are also underway. We do expect the Central government to expedite the construction process, though. The state government is yet to implement the National Green Tribunal (NGT)’s direction to rejuvenate the Bellandur and Varthur lakes, which are critical to the water needs of east Bengaluru.”

Sidhant Simha, 26, said, “I consider a number of factors while casting my vote. Mohan isn’t inspiring, while Mansoor Ali Khan looks like a strong challenger. Still, my vote will go to the BJP this time because of issues raised and resolved at the national and international level, like Ram Mandir, UCC and Article 370. The lack of a better national Opposition also plays a part.”

BJP focus on bank scam, triple talaq

While Khan’s campaign is showcasing the five guarantees of the state government, the BJP is raising the issue of ban on the triple talaq to reach out to Muslim women. The party is also raking up the Amanath Bank scam, allegedly involving Khan’s father and former Union minister Rehman Khan, who was accused of allowing misappropriation of over Rs 225 crore in funds during his tenure as the bank’s president.

Meanwhile, a section of BJP workers in Bangalore Central have publicly expressed their disappointment with Mohan’s candidature. At a recent meeting in Shantinagar, Mohan was confronted by frustrated party workers who questioned his contribution to people’s welfare. A senior BJP leader said, “It is natural that every constituency has party workers who are disgruntled against the incumbent MP. However, the party couldn’t find any alternate candidate for the seat. Although we might find it hard to secure leads in segments dominated by minorities, we are countering it by focusing on the triple talaq ban and the Amanath Bank scam.”

In the 2019 polls, Mohan had defeated the Congress’s Rizwan Arshad by about 71,000 votes.