Voters from Bengaluru South, here’s something for you. Who is going to be your leader for next five years, to represent you in parliament, and to voice your worries there? How do you decide whom to select? This might not be a one-minute decision, if you have an open mind and are willing to compare the candidates. Our effort is meant to help get all the info for your own comparison in one place, so that you spend less time searching.

Bangalore South has around 18 lakh voters and covers the assembly constituency areas of Basavanagudi, Bommanahalli, BTM Layout, Chickpet, Govindarajanagar, Jayanagar, Padmanabhanagar and Vijayanagar. Bangalore South Lok Sabha constituency consists mostly of Southern traditional areas in core Bangalore, Bommanahalli being the only new area.

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Candidate Debate » What did Bangalore South Candidates speak before the chaos

H N Ananthkumar, BJP Age: 54 Edu: BA LLB Assets: Rs 1.68 cr (2013) Assets Rs 4.84 cr (2014) ananth.org MP Performance Profile & Perf. Report » Incumbent MP. Completed 5th term MPLADS funds usage » Promises Key points from candidate Q&A At the BPAC organised candidate debate Attributed most of Bangalore’s development to himself Did not share his plans for the city but made a mention of the Country’s security Interview: Ananthkumar rubbishes HUDCO scam Campaign Trail When MP comes calling, seeking votes Door to door camapigning

Nina Nayak, AAP Age: 60 Edu: MSW Assets: 3.51Cr ninapnayak.org Profile: Child rights activist to take on biggies in B’lore South Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Bangalore Chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Recipient of several award Interview We will set up AAP ward committees if we win Common people want corruption free India Lack of intent in people intent in people managing governance Campaign Trail Nina tries to woo the Aam Aadmi wearing the anticorruption hat

Nandan Nilekani, INC Age: 58 Edu: B.E Assets: Rs 7700 Cr nandannilekani.in Cases: 0 Profile: Life and times of Nandan Nilekani Several prominent positions held include CEO Infosys, Agency Executive TAGUP Chairperson UIDAI 350 Cr spent on philanthropic efforts Interview I will speed up Metro and bring commuter rail to Bengaluru: Nandan Nilekani Always been interested in public change Will be a champion for Bangalore in Delhi Ensure adequate funds to speed up the Metro Campaign Trail Nandan Nilekani’s Day out with Voters

Ruth Manorama, JD(S) Age: 61 Edu: MSW Assets: 1.49 Cr rightlivelihood.org/ruth-manorama.html Cases: 0 Profile JD(S) fields Right Livelihood awardee in Bangalore South Winner of several National & International awards. Also has won Rajyothsava Award Member of National Human Rights CommissionOne among 1000 selected for “1000 Women for Nobel Prize” Interview I want to pull more women into politics: Ruth Manorama INC & BJP more corrupt than JD(S)Capacity and Capability of women should be used in politicsGiving a tough fight to her oponents

Issues in Bangalore South Constituency

• Choked roads, traffic bottleneck, lack of parking spaces to choked drains, garbage problems, pollution and sanitation woes
• FDI in retail and the destruction of small businesses.
• City Market area is abysmal, with no footpaths for pedestrians
• Old drainage system, with its blocked and leaking sewerage lines
• Public toilets in the Arumugam Mudaliar Road in Kalasipalya, constructed in 1994, have been encroached upon by local goons who have turned the public property into private parking lots
• Other issues include illegal construction, water contamination and an impending water shortage.
• Silk board junction is traffic-ridden. Metro station near Jayadeva is causing displacement. The road to Silk Board junction will see some redesign in future in terms of elevated flyovers and underpasses.
• Greenery has proportionately reduced with trees being cut everywhere
• Sewerage and water lines need are almost 50 years old and need replacement
• Slums have poor basic amenities.
• Lakes are being polluted and sewage being dumped
• Bangalore’s biggest lake Bellandur that falls partially in this constituency too is on the verge of extinction.
• A massive SEZ coming up here has been promised ample water by BWSSB, while people don’t have access to enough water.

Why are local issues presented here, when the MP has to address national issues?

An MP is also a councillor in BBMP, though without voting power. He also gets 5 crores every year, to create useful infrastucture in his constituency. Most of the times, the implementing authority for the works undertaken through MPLAD is BBMP. So a willing MP can play a role insolving local problems, by working closely with city and state governments. And some of the issues like environment and water overlap with central government’s role.

Useful Links

Deccan Herald: Choices for Bangalore South

Useful links for voters:

General manifesto comparisons: The Hindu

Water policy: By Indiawaterportal / Arghyam

Compilation of responses by B-Aware

Find out which wards comes under Bangalore South Parliamentary Constituency: Click here

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