Since its formation in 2008, one of Bengaluru’s four reserved constituencies, CV Raman Nagar — home to both quiet residential colonies and bustling commercial areas — has remained with BJP, with the incumbent MLA, S Raghu, having represented the segment all three times. The constituency has over 2.7 lakh voters spread across several areas, including rapidly developing Indiranagar, Byappanahalli, New Thippasandra and Jeevan Bima Nagar.
Delayed infrastructure work on Old Madras Road and Indiranagar —housing many of Bengaluru’s pubs — has left citizens fuming. Residents point to continuous addition of new commercial establishments leading to loud music and shrinking of walking and parking space. While rising property value is reducing green spaces, residents say efforts towards conserving environment have not been earnest. For instance, work to restore Kaggadasapura Lake is yet to be over. Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, BJP SC morcha head, however, said it’ll be advantage Raghu. “It is a BJP bastion and there are several pockets where Raghu is very popular. Moreover, infrastructure work has been completed and civic issues should be addressed by corporators and not MLAs,” he said.
Ten candidates are fighting the polls from this seat. Congress has overlooked 2018 runnerup and former mayor R Sampath Raj, who was being pushed for Pulikeshinagar by DK Shivakumar, and has fielded Hoysalanagar former corporator S Anand Kumar. P Ramesh, who has fought against Raghu on Congress and JD(S) tickets, is contesting as an independent. As a Congress candidate, Ramesh had garnered 44,945 votes against Raghu’s 53,364 in 2013. In 2018, Raghu polled 58,887 votes and Sampath Raj 46,660. AAP’s Mohan Dasari is contesting for the second time from here. Aconfident Raghu said: “I’ve won three terms due to development works. Covid vaccination drive, CV Raman Nagar hospital, diabetes and isolation wards, parks and expansion of roads have helped people. Whitetopping and desilting of Kaggadasapura Lake were delayed due to the pandemic and heavy rain last year. I have plans to convert the 105-acre NGEF factory land near Byappanahalli railway station into a tree park.”
While Kumar is banking on anti-incumbency, AAP’s Dasari said he is confident of people recognising his work despite not being an MLA, especially during the pandemic. “Congress has helped Raghu win by fielding new candidates in every election since 2008,” he alleged. “People want change as the MLA is not accessible. I’m banking on the good work I have done as a corporator,” said Kumar. Ramesh said he decided to contest after Congress denied him ticket at the last minute. “My fight is against the Congress candidate who has a criminal background,” he claimed. “In the run-up to the polls, roads are being tarred. Less work was done in the past four years.
Kaggadasapura Lake work is not complete. Civic issues should be addressed by corporators but BBMP polls are yet to be held. Raghu is a favourable candidate. There are 5,000 apartments in this constituency and we would like to bring issues related to apartment dwellers to the government’s notice,” said Pradeep Pai, member of Bangalore Apartment Federation. Aside from the SCs — for whom the seat is reserved — the segment has around 21,000 Muslims, which Congress is hoping to woo. Brahmins and Lingayats together are double the number of Muslims, with the rest being divided between OBCs and language groups.
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