The hustle and bustle of electioneering appears to be building up in Mahalakshmi Layout constituency, but the public appear to be apathetic towards the proceedings as none of the candidates has managed to enthuse the electorate.

Carved out of Rajajinagar constituency, the layout is witnessing a triangular contest - former Rajajinagar MLA N L Narendra Babu (Cong) is pitched against BJP’s R V Harish, a new entrant, and K Gopalaiah of JD (S).

Babu, a three-time corporator from Nagapura, now a part of Mahalakshmi Layout, appears to be bogged down by the  incumbency factor.

In the run-up to elections, there was even a talk of local Congressmen and the government staff trying to ensure Babu’s defeat. But once the election process kickstarted, things appear to have worked in Babu’s favour. That the BJP has fielded a new entrant also reflects the party’s lack of faith in itself. Besides, several electoral reverses faced by Harish from Rajajinagar reduced his winning chances.

JD (S) candidate, due to his past record, seems to have no chance.

Popular Congressman and former Geleyara Balaga corporator M Nagaraj had filed his papers as independent after the party denied ticket to him. But he later withdrew.

BJP has strongholds in Rajajinagar, Basaveshwarnagar, parts of Kamala Nagar, Nandini Layout and Kamakshipalya among other areas, while the JD(S) has it committed voters in Vokkaliga-dominated areas of Vrushubhavati Nagar, Mahalaxmi Layout and parts of Nandini Layout.

The constituency is teeming with civic woes. Bad roads, dozens of bottlenecks that lead to traffic chaos.