Of six wards of BBMP in the constituency -- Vijayanagar, RPC Layout, Athiguppe, Galianjaneya, Bapujinagar and K P Agrahara -- four of them are by and large well developed residential localities. Residents are sensitive about civic issues and are very demanding when it comes to basic services.

It will be a straight contest between Congress’ M Krishnappa (also an MLC) and BJP’ Pramila Nesargi and both of them are vying to project themselves as development-oriented. They distribute pamphlets during campaign and speak at length about their plans.

Krishnappa, a resident of Vijayanagar, is a known face in the constituency. He had unsuccessfully contested 2004 parliamentary elections from Bangalore south. Moreover, the fact that he belongs to Vokkaliga community (around 50,000 votes in the constituency) has given him an edge.

One of the richest candidates in Bangalore, Krishnappa is not taking a chance. He is campaigning almost round-the-clock, especially in under-developed areas of K P Agrahara and Galianjaneya, where huge number of voters are from minority community, SC/ ST, OBC and linguistic minorities.

Though Nesargi is an outsider, she is pinning her hopes on women votes (1.18 lakh voters of total 2.5 lakh are women in Vijayanagar) and traditional BJP votes. She is known in the constituency as former women’s commission chairman and a women’s activist. Nesargi is trying to reap the benefit of it. She belongs to Lingayat community which has around 25,000 votes. She had earlier contested from Chamarajpet

The JD(S) candidate belongs to Kuruba community (around 40,000 votes). Indira is a resident of Rajajinagar, and her main vote-seeking mantra is the performance of H D Kumaraswasmy as the CM.

Party-wise vote share during last polls (Vijayanagar constituency was part of erstwhile Binnypet): Congress polled 42.68 per cent votes; BJP 27 per cent;  JD(S) 26.26 per cent.

VOTE QUOTE

People in the constituency vote in favour of development. They know Congress is the only party with development as a main agenda.

M Krishnappa (Congress)

The BJP stands for development. I have a dream to give a complete face lift to Vijayanagar. I will be available to people 24/7.

Pramila Nesargi (BJP)

People are impressed with the performance of Kumaraswamy as the CM and they want to him to continue with his good work.

Indira Jayaram (JD-S)