Banashankari turns fortress

The Banashankari ward of the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will go to the poll on Sunday to elect a new corporator.

The election has been necessitated due to the murder of Corporator Mohammed Ali alias Diwana Ali by a seven-member gang six months ago.

The ward no. 180 has around 35,000 voters, and Muslim votes (nearly 18,000) play a decisive role in choosing the winner. Though there are 12 candidates in the fray, the fight is mainly between the ruling BJP’s Basavaraju, Ansar Pasha of the Congress, and Mohammed Akbar of the Janata Dal (Secular).

Nawab, a resident of Yaarab Nagar, said though the hustings started on a dull note last week, it picked up pace later.

“Money power is quite visible here. We thought it would be a low-key affair, but that is not the case. The candidates are spending huge sums of money,” Nawab said.

Tight security

The ward being a sensitive area, police have rounded up nearly 100 people to ensure peaceful polling that will kick off at 7 am and close at 5 pm on Sunday.

There will be enhanced security at 30 sensitive booths and additional cover at four hyper-sensitive booths.

Seven ACPs, eight KSRP platoons, 13 inspectors, 40 sub-inspectors, 19 assistant sub-inspectors, 139 head constables, 17 police constables and 33 women police constables have been deployed in the ward.

Sale, consumption, procurement and storage of liquor, wine, arrack or other intoxicants in any wholesale or retail outlet have been prohibited from 5 pm on Saturday.

Ban on liquor shops

All liquor shops, wine shops and bars situated in SBK and KS Layout police limits will remain closed till June 26 midnight, according to the City Police Commissioner.
The counting of votes will be taken up on June 29.