BJP bids on infrastructure rumps infighting

And yet, there is a lingering doubt, among the ruling party leaders and workers, regarding the transformation of development work into votes. The BBMP polls have become a prestige issue for the ministerial quartet.

The performance of the party in these constituencies, which have a total 31 wards, will be the deciding factor for it to hold the reins of power in the BBMP Council.

A tour of the four constituencies by this reporter on Tuesday revealed questions lurking in the minds of many ruling party workers on whether the impact of negative factors like infighting in the BJP over the last few months, allegations of corruption and favouritism against the Government and the party’s efforts to delay the polls will undo the advantages accruing from infrastructure development.

On their part, the ministers have left no stone unturned in upgrading basic amenities like roads, footpaths, drainage and streetlights in their areas.

Especially Katta and Ashok, who are also Bangalore in-charge ministers, have ensured that every bylane is concreted in their constituencies -- Hebbal and Padmanabhanagar, respectively. However, the failure to address the drinking water shortage problem may prove worrisome.

In private, the ruling party workers express their apprehensions and the ministers are not overconfident either. That explains all the footslogging by the ministers in their respective constituencies.

A majority of people with whom this reporter interacted, acknowledged the infrastructure development in their area, but surprisingly also declared that they were yet to make up their mind on favouring any party.

“Yes, there is development. But there are also other aspects that need to be looked into before casting the vote,” Srinivas Prasad, a resident of Ananagar, a posh residential locality in Hebbal, said.

Retired school headmaster Prasad said the Government has been mired in some controversy or the other. “What we need a clean and controversy-free Government which works only for development,” he said.

There is a touch of scepticism too which bother the BJP.  “Though the Government came to power nearly two years ago, all development works were taken up only a year ago. The true colour of the Government will be known after the elections,” remarked Nandini of Padmanabhanagar. Aware of such undercurrents, the Opposition parties are using these as their election issues.

Adding to the discomfiture of the ruling party is the rebellion in its ranks which has thrown up a number of rebels. Both in Hebbal and Padmanabhanagar, one-time staunch supporters of Katta and Ashok have become Opposition candidates.