Having represented the mammoth Uttarahalli constituency for 12 years, the BJP felt that Ashok should be given this privilege.

Ashok chose Padmanbhanagar constituency from among Dasarahalli, Rajajeshwarinagar, Yeshwanthpur, BTM Layout, Bangalore South and Bommanahalli.

His reasoning -  it is one of the safest constituencies for the BJP. However, a  tour of the constituency indicates that JD(S) candidate M V Prasad Babu or Kabaddi Babu, as he is popularly known, is a force to reckon with.

Kabaddi Babu has developed a rapport with the people of the locality and has been recognised for his helping nature which the sportsperson-turned-politician now plans to cash in.

Two issues are working against Ashok. Firstly, voters in several pockets including Kaverinagar, Yarabnagar, Kumaraswamy Layout and Bhavaninagar feel he has not worked enough for the constituency.

Secondly, his poor accessibility has dented his image. On the other hand, Uttarahalli before delimitation was one of the biggest Assembly segments in the country.

To represent a population of 16 lakh is one thing, and to be accessible to everyone is another.

However, Ashok is banking on voters in Jayanagar, Yediyur, Banashankari, who traditional back the BJP, to enter the legislature for the fourth consecutive time.

The Congress had fielded Dr B Gurappa Naidu as its candidate. Dr Naidu, who has done his PhD in Kautiyala’s Arthasastra, has been a resident of the constituency for the last four decades, feels the anti-incumbency against Ashok will work in his favour.

He feels that the 38,000 minority voters and the 45,000 traditional Congress voters in Jayanagar who now come under the newly carved constituency, will also work to his advantage.

At the same time, both Naidu and Kabbadi Babu are from the Kamma community.  Any division in the 30,000 Kamma votes in the constituency can tilt the balance in favour of Ashok.

For the records, two of the three BMP wards in the constituency - Padmanabhanagar and Yediyur - have been represented by Congress councillor, while Ganesh Mandir was represented by A H Basavaraj of the BJP