Though the JD(S) and the techie-party Lok Paritran too have a strong presence, the contest is between seasoned politician A Krishnappa (Congress) and a new entrant to the BJP N S Nandish Reddy.
Carved out from the erstwhile Varathur and Hoskote assembly constituencies after delimitation, K R Puram lacks basic amenities like tarred roads, drinking water, garbage disposal and street lights. Infrastructure seems to be the yardstick here and people have decided to choose a ‘performance-oriented’ candidate.
While localites form only 23 per cent of the total electorate of 3,08,400 lakh, Keralites dominate the area. The minority voters population is 45,000 and SC/ST voters are around 60,000. Following the reorganisation, 35 wards of the erstwhile K R Puram CMC, nine wards of Mahadevapura and three village panchayats of Horamavu, K Narayanpura and Agara are part of the constituency.
As many as 30 wards of these 35 wards had Congress representatives and the area has always been a stronghold of the Congress. Yet Krishnappa is not taking any chances.
Armed with his abundant political experience of being an MLA for four terms and a Minister twice, Krishnappa is carrying out a brisk campaign.
The BJP, which hardly any presence in the area, is suddenly gaining popularity. Though Nandish Reddy is a novice in politics, it is apparent that he is capable of giving a tough fight to Krishnappa.
Being a youngster, he is banking on the youth in the constituency as the population of Reddy community, to which he belongs, is a mere 3,000.
The JD(S) candidate L Muniswamy was a former Congressman and a close associate of Krishnappa. Having failed to get any recognition in the Congress, Muniswamy shifted loyalties to the JD(S).
After working for the success of Krishnappa for four terms, Muniswamy is confident of victory. Though his own partymen (JD-S) are not supporting him, he can play a spoilsport.
Similarly, B T Naganna of Lok Paritran, is carrying out a brisk door-to-door campaign. Banking on the educated class of voters, Naganna is confident of dashing the hopes of veteran politicians.
