The Bommanahalli constituency, which is one of the most backward areas with decisive Muslim and Vokkaliga population, is gearing up for a big fight between two major land lords, fielded by the Congress and the BJP.

Once part of the Bangalore South constituency, Bommanahalli comprises Bangalore South taluk, parts of Anekal taluk, wards of Bommanahalli CMC, Ibbalur, Agara, Parangipalya, Mangammanapalya, Hongasandra, Rupena Agrahara, Hulimavu, Bilekahalli and Jaraganahalli.

Altogether six candidates are in the fray in Bommanahalli including Kupendra Reddy from the Congress, Satish Reddy from the BJP, H N Muninarayana from the JD(S) and M Venkatesh from the BSP. The fight in Bommanahalli appears to be mainly between the Congress and the BJP.  Considered to be a BJP stronghold, this time around the Congress candidate is leaving no stone unturned to make it.

Campaigning has begun at full swing with candidates working out on caste-chemistry. The constituency with a voters’ population of 2,61,058, comprises over 52,000 vokkaligas, nearly 90,000 muslims and backward community people, nearly 20,000 Lingayats and about 78,000 SC/ST population. But the voters have a lone demand- development.

A grain merchant of this area Venugopal Raju, showing the open manhole right in front of his shop, says, “This is the reality of our Bommanahalli. Our dream Bommanahalli should have good roads, proper drainage system, water and other civic amenities.” ZP member Kupendra Reddy is luring voters by saying he has seen enough money in his life and his venture into politics is only for social work.