BENGALURU: The suspense over three assembly segments Mahadevapura, Hebbal and Govindarajanagar — in Bengaluru continued with the BJP leadership withholding candidates for these constituencies.
Of the three, the focus is on the Mahadevapura (SC reserved) represented by former minister Aravind Limbavali. Speculation is mounting that the high command intends to replace the incumbent MLA with a fresh face. Congress has announced former minister H Nagesh, who was elected as an independent from Mulbagal in 2018, as its candidate from the seat.
The question is why is BJP playing hardball? Sources say multiple survey reports suggest huge anti-incumbency and that could be difficult for Limbavali to win. Moreover, the IT corridor of Mahadevapura had made headlines for the wrong reasons following flooding during last year’s monsoon.
Residents are angry as those in power did little to improve road infrastructure despite Mahadevapura contributing highest taxes to the civic agency. The ire was obviously against Limbavali, who won the seat thrice since its formation in 2008. “Another possible reason is CV Raman Nagar seat, adjacent to Mahadevapura, is represented by Limbavali’s relative S Raghu,” said BJP SC morcha chairman Chalavadi Narayanaswamy.
In Govindrajnagar, BJP has chosen to hold it back as incumbent V Somanna, who will contest from Chamarajanagar and Varuna, is lobbying for his son for this seat. In Hebbal, former minister Katta Subramnanya Naidu is a strong contender while MLC YA Narayanaswamy is seeking the ticket.