Bengaluru Central comprises of Rajajinagar, Chamrajpet, Gandhinagar, Shivajinagar, Shantinagar, Sarvagnanagar, C V Raman Nagar and Mahadevapura assembly constituencies.

It has around 15 lakh voters, from various communities and linguistic backgrounds, and includes large slums and traditional neighbourhoods of Shivaji Nagar, Gandhi nagar, Central Business District , as well as apartments, gated communities and enclaves of newer areas like Bellandur and Whitefield towards the east.

Specific links:

• Analysis of major candidates’ affidavits and background: It’s a battle of crorepathis
• Candidate Debate: Sitting MP Mohan disarmed by newbie candidates
• Compilation of responses to questions by B-Aware
• Summary of all candidates’ info from affidavits, including independents – by ADR-NEW

Info on candidate from the major parties:

P C Mohan, BJP Symbol: Lotus Age: 51 Edu: 12th Pass Businessman (Ceramics & Tiles) Website: pcmohan.org 2009: Assets: 5.37 cr Liabilities: 3.28 cr 2013 Assets: Rs 30.36 cr Liabilities: Rs 17.69 cr 2014: Assets Rs 47.57 cr Liabilities Rs 26.11 cr MP Performance Profile & Perf. Report » Former 2-time MLA. Daksh citizen perception survey score: 8.1/10 Daksh survey rates PC Mohan ahead of others» Bellandur residents send questions to their MP, PC Mohan» MPLADS funds usage» Spent 19 crores provided on community halls, classrooms and water projects (borewells) Campaign Trail Darshan campaigns in Bangalore When PC Mohan meets voters after five years

V Balakrishnan, AAP Symbol: Broom Age:49, Edu:  ICWA/ICAI Fmr CFO, Infosys Chairman, MicroGraam and Founder Exfinity Funds Website: aapkabala.com Assets: Rs 189 Crore Liabilities: Rs 3.2 Lakhs Interviews Fresh in politics means there’s no legacy to defend: V Balakrishnan AAP candidate replies to Bellandur residents’ questions Click here to watch video G+ Hangout with Public TV: Click here to watch video Campaign Campaigning in Shanti Nagar» When a citizen goes on campaign trail to feel the pulse!»

Rizwan Arshad, INC Symbol: Hand Age:34, Edu: B.Com Youth Congress President  Assets: Rs 3.2 Crore Website: rizwanarshad.in Profile:INC’s Rizwan no greenhorn Interviews BJP missed a great opportunity to rule Bangalore better: Rizwan» INC candidate replies to Bellandur residents’ questions» Campaign Checking out campaign at Ulsoor» Click here to watch video»

Nandini Alva, JD(S) Symbol: woman farm labourer carrying a stack of paddy on her head Artiste and Entrpreneur Age: 52, Edu: BA Assets: 80.78 cr Liabilities: 3.78 cr facebook.com/NandiniAlvaJDS Profile: When an artiste makes her arangetram in politics Interviews Why should politicians be exempted from RTI, asks Nandini Alva» JD(S) candidate Nandini Alva replies to bellandur residents questions» Campaign What does B’lore Central JDS candidate promise the voters?»

Issues of the constituency

• Bangalore Central has Bellandur lake – Bangalore’s biggest lake. This lake is facing the threat of extinction, as there is a multicrore project coming up on its catchment area, by encroaching the drains, despite protests by local residents. This has been covered extensively by Citizen Matters, and is an election issue here this time.
• Mahadevpura constituency has Whitefield, which is facing the problems of illegal layouts, illegalities by builders, road issues and traffic problems. Citizens are much more active here than other parts of the constituency. Water scarcity is plaguing this part of Bangalore. Citizens are demanding sustainable solutions to water problems.
• Like all other parts of Bangalore, this constituency too has the same problems – traffic problems, garbage disposal issues, illegal constructions etc. Metro work is going on in most of the areas and is expected to finish soon, but it remains to be seen how much traffic will it take away from roads.
• Varthur lake is filled with sewage and needs a sewage treatment plant. The residents are clueless on whom to approach to get this done.
• The state budget allocation for rejuvenating lakes isn’t much – and there is no plan on which lake it should be spent on. So all citizen groups fighting for various lakes are clueless on how to get the things done.

How a MP can participate in local issues?

When politicians say local issues should be taken care by BBMP, it is true. However, since an MP is also a councillor in BBMP, he can take up local issues and get the things done for the public. Therefore local issues can also become poll issues, and an MP can contribute towards solving it. He can also utilise his MPLAD funds towards solving such issues, rather than randomly building toilets and digging borwells.

Useful links

General manifesto comparisons: By The Hindu

Water policy: By Indiawaterportal / Arghyam

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