With a little more than 24 hours left for the BBMP council elections to take place, Domlur (Ward 112) residents got to familiarise themselves with their ward Corporator candidates in Domlur club on Wednesday, March 24th.

The residents of the ward will choose their Corporator from five women candidates, namely L Manjula (Independent), Rajalakshmi Y L (Congress), Suguna H N (JD(S)), Geetha Srinivasa Reddy (BJP) and Sandhya Shantha Kumar (Independent). The ward has been reserved under the General category for women.

Domlur candidates at an interaction with residents of the ward. Pic: Charu Sharma.

As many as 150 residents came under one roof to highlight the various problems faced by the ward. The issues raised by them didn’t leave room for the candidates to make a lot of commitments. This discussion was organised by Janaagraha (a city-based not-for-profit organisation) along with the coordinating committee of resident welfare associations (RWAs) in Indiranagar.

The major issue that echoed all through the discussion was that of sewerage and cleanliness.

The other problems that were brought up included garbage collection, bad roads, delayed projects and Akrama Sakrama. All candidates assured the residents that, given an opportunity, they will solve every difficulty faced by the people.

Manjula said that she would especially work with the slum dwellers and give them hakku patras (or title deeds). She also added the need for a police station in Domlur.

However, the residents weren’t exactly convinced. Bala Subramanium showed his disagreement with Manjula and asked why the middle-class tax payer was always ignored?

Members of RWAs also touched upon the co-operation needed between RWAs and the Corporator for smooth functioning of the ward. "Please do not take any decision sitting in air-conditioned offices in the BBMP," said L Adhikesh Perumal from Domlur 2nd stage. He also urged the candiates to meet the RWA atleast once a month once they were elected.

Another resident of Domlur 2nd Stage highlighted the need for transparency in the whole process to make it more efficient and answerable. "We expect our candidates will find justified and suitable solutions to all the problems," said S C Burman, former Inspector General of Police and President of Indira Nagar Welfare Association.

Referring to the candidates, Burman said "Your ward is your nursery. If you want to prove yourself, you should grow in this nursery. And if you betray the trust of the people you won’t be able to do it." ⊕