The Congress, represented by former minister R Ramalinga Reddy, had won the Jayanagar assembly constituency twice. Mr Reddy now stands a good chance of winning from BTM Layout this time, since he had secured 54,078 votes out of the 1,39,670 votes polled in the 2004 elections.

Lakkasandra, Dairy Circle and surrounding areas, which were part of the Jayanagar assembly constituency prior to the delimitation, are now in the periphery of the BTM Layout assembly constituency, making it a strong Congress bastion. Similarly, the Congress also has a stronghold in Ejipura and Madiwala where a majority of the voters belong to the economically poor sections.

Of the total 2,12,808 voters, 1,11,670 are male voters and 1,01,138 are female voters. Muslims and Christians are the major votebanks with a population of 15,000 voters each. Besides, there are 25,000 voters from Scheduled Castes, around 8,000 Malayalees and natives of other States. BTM Layout will be witnessing a tussle between two Reddys (the other being BJP's G Prasad Reddy). As many as 15,000 voters belong to the Reddy community.

Prasad Reddy, a new entrant to politics, is the richest candidate to contest from Bangalore. A realtor by profession, he has a strong base in Koramangala and BTM Layout.

Both Koramangala and BTM Layout were part of the Uttarahalli assembly constituency prior to the delimitation and was represented by BJP's R Ashok for the past three terms. Prasad Reddy is expected to garner a large number of votes from these areas.However, being a novice in politics and pitted against Ramalinga Reddy's proven track record would mean this crorepati 's task is cut out.

B Mohan of JD(S) is a former corporator who resigned from the BJP to join the JD(S). He hopes to bag votes from BTM layout and the Adugodi area which he considers are his strongholds.

There are 12 contestants with an independent candidate who shares his name with Ramalinga Reddy and an IT professional contesting from Lok Paritran ticket.

VOTE QUOTE

People have seen my work in Jayanagar. The entire constituency will get a facelift if I’m elected.

-R Ramalinga Reddy (Cong)

Infrastructure constraints will be put to an end and the poor will get title deeds.

-Prasad Reddy (BJP)

Being a resident and former corporator, I know the problems which will be solved if I am elected.

-B Mohan JD(S)