BJP incumbent favourite after Cong blunder in ticket distribution

A blunder in ticket distribution by the Congress has ruined what should have been a mouth-watering contest between a strong challenger and the incumbent BJP MLA, M Sathish Reddy.

Kavitha Reddy, who aspired for the Congress ticket here, has been actively involved in raising all civic issues in the constituency. But the grand old party had left her out and instead, handed the ticket to Sushma Rajgopal Reddy, who, in fact, was planning to contest from the Bengaluru South constituency.

Sushma is candid enough to admit that Bommanahalli is unfamiliar. “I don’t know some of these streets (in Bommanahalli), but am working hard ahead of the polls,” she said. Sushma is yet to intensify her campaign.

Sathish, on the other hand, has accelerated his canvassing, not leaving out a lane or a building. The saffron legislator is seeking a third term from the constituency.

Sudheendhra, a Congress worker, voiced the general feeling of disenchantment among the party cadres when he tweeted: “Congress should have given ticket to Kavitha Reddy from Bommanahalli. By denying her a ticket, party has denied opportunity to a most deserving candidate who would have made us all proud its the party’s loss @RahulGandhi @CMofKarnataka @dineshgrao.”

The apparent self-goal seems enough for the incumbent to carry the constituency on the basis of familiarity alone, as people recognise him and his work.

That is not to say that Bommanahalli is not without its share of problems. Despite being part of the IT hub and home to thousands of educated professionals, the constituency is dogged by lack of basic amenities.

Streets are not properly paved and remain uneven in many places as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (BWSSB) failed to restore them. Localities like Arakere, Hulimavu, Yellappa Reddy Layout and Singasandra get water just twice a week.

Lengthy power cuts are a familiar thing for residents during summer. “The power went off an hour ago and it wouldn’t be restored anytime soon,” said Mary Anthony, a resident of Yellappa Reddy Layout.

But when asked about the issues in the constituency, the resident answered with cheery contentment. “There’re no problems here,” she responded.

The sector five and six of the posh HSR Layout was marooned in last year’s rain.

“He (Sathish) visits us frequently, despite his busy schedule and is accessible when we have issues,” Mary said.

Sushma, in the meantime, is hoping to underline the failure of the incumbent in providing the basic facilities. “Nothing has been done here in the past 10 years. People are looking for a change,” she said. T R Prasad from the JD(S) and Dr P Anil Kumar, an independent candidate, are also in the fray here.