Urban vaccine against poll fever

BANGALORE: Congress, BJP, JD(S)... or ‘none of the above’? Residents’ associations seem to be disillusioned. Of course, they’ll vote, but without complete faith in the candidate of their choice.
In Jayamahal and Varthur, associations such as the Jayamahal Residents Welfare Association and the Indiranagar 2nd stage Welfare Association have decided to keep off campaigning.They won’t try to motivate residents to do their homework about candidates. Neither will they ask residents to take a good look at the unaddressed issues around them.
Unpleasant experiences are responsible for this disillusionment. They don’t feel taking a stance would reward them. “The candidate we voted, lost. His competitor neglected our issues,’’ A resident from Jayamahal said.
“It was embarrassing during last elections when only three per cent of the population at Koramangala stepped out to vote. After elections, everytime we approached the MLA, we were told, why come to me now, your people are not even interested in voting,’’ Janaagraha member Rami Reddy added.
Some associations are miffed with the candidates for not approaching them. “We heard that Congress candidate A. Krishnappa held a meeting in the KR Puram CMC. Why weren’t we informed,’’ Indiranagar 2nd stage Welfare Association president R. Narayanan asked. In areas such as Fraser Town, there are residents who don’t know that former minister Roshan Baig is the Congress candidate from Jayamahal.
Associations are sulking about the lack of civic amenities. “The educated classes are ignored till the last leg because candidates feel campaigning is lost on us,’’ Kalyannagar Welfare Association president M. Subbaiah said.
But, all is not lost. The Public Affairs Centre ties up with 15 residents’ associations in seven Assembly constituencies—Malleswaram, Shantinagar, Basavangudi, Jayanagar, Jayamahal, Uttarahalli and Varthur—to encourage participation. Associations will collect candidates’ affidavits and disseminate it.
“We are compiling information. We are also arranging a face to face meeting with all candidates,’’ Malleswaram Swabhimana Initiative secretary Sumathi Rao said. In Koramangala, associations will ferry residents to polling booths.
The associations will highlight and compare the educational qualifications, antecedents, assets, debts and dues of the candidates through posters and pamphlets.
“Seven out of twelve constituencies are working with us. In some areas, associations are either not motivated or non-existent. This initiative will help bring in more transparency for residents,’’ PAC chief programme coordinator Manjunath Sadashiva said.