Qualified and successful, they jump into poll fray

From teaching Spanish to running hospitals, some of these candidates who have carved successful career paths, have taken a temporary break from their jobs to dabble with politics.

A majority of the candidates fielded by the three political parties are semi-literate. But there is a sprinkling of qualified individuals, who said that they have entered the fray mainly to change the general perception about politics. Speaking to Deccan Herald, these political greenhorns who have already made their presence felt in public life, said that they hoped to reach out to a larger section by winning elections.

Vinutha G, 45, a Congress candidate from Jaraganahalli ward is an MPhil graduate, specialised in child vagrancy. Though she was never interested in politics, the problems plaguing her ward made her consider contesting the BBMP elections. “There are no government facilities in my ward, including a hospital and a high school. As a result, the number of school dropouts has gone up. We have also been forced to tackle the mosquito menace by ourselves. The people of my ward felt that I could effectively represent them,” she said.

JD(S) candidate from Ramamurthynagar ward Padmavathi S, 45, has majored in Journalism, holds degrees masters in Business Administration and Spanish.

Apart from teaching MBA and MCom students, she also teaches Spanish in her spare time. “I have been keenly following both national and international politics. I feel that people like me should view this as another profession - only then can the political set up see a change,” she said.

Dr Ruth Mani, 53, a gynaecologist who runs Vinay Nursing Home in Lingarajpuram ward, is contesting the polls on a JD(S) ticket. She has gained popularity among the residents of her ward by catering to low and middle income groups.

“The residents of the ward have been pressuring me to contest elections, and when the JD(S) approached me, I thought it was good opportunity for me to enter politics. This ward has too many problems. It is high time that people like me joined politics,” she added.  BJP candidate Dr Raju, 52, MBBS, MS, is a consultant surgeon at Vijayanagar Global Hospital in Attiguppe ward. “I have been a doctor for three decades. As long as the educated class stays away from politics, we will never be rid of the societal disease,” he said.

Congress candidate from Malleswaram ward Dr Rajesh Mannar, 44, MBBS, MD, owns the Shirdi Sai hospital. “I have not entered politics to make money, as my profession has made me self sufficient. But there is no transparency when it comes to extending services to people. The system may never change, but that should not scare people like me away from politics,” he added.