ELECTIONS

Planned vs Actual Spending of MPLAD funds by sitting MPs You have seen the MPLAD spend data for all three MPs of Bangalore. A closer look at the MPLAD fund spending also reveals some interesting patterns, some of which are presented below. Borewells and borewells During the time that he was an MP, Ananth Kumar spent more than Rs. 4 crores on 106 borewells. P.C. Mohan used Rs. 3.35 crores of his MPLAD funds to sink 67 borewells. Not far behind, we have Chandre Gowda who spent Rs. 1.34 crores on 30 odd borewells. The cost of sinking borewells documented…

In a first, to aid electioneering, a single window system to get all clearances from the Returning Officer has been set up in the city. Permission from the BBMP and police can be obtained from the RO who will now be available at the Police Commissioner’s office between 3pm and 5pm. But, AAP candidate from Bangalore Rural, Ravi Krishna Reddy said that candidates still had to approach different agencies so it could not be called a single window system. In another first, after the EVMs has been introduced, Bangalore South has been picked as one of the constituencies that will…

Bangalore North constituency - the biggest parliamentary constituency in Karnataka - is most likely to get a law graduate as its lawmaker this time - because three prominent political parties have fielded law graduates as their candidates here. And all of them are ‘clean’ with no pending cases. However, the similarity ends right here. The battle ground has a former CM with less than a year in office, a former MP of the same constituency but from a different party, a former law professor gearing up for his debut in politics, and a former police officer with a considerable stint…

Prof. Rajeev Gowda, IIM Bangalore and AICC Media Panelist, has launched a Political Action Internship 2014 in Bangalore on 29 March 2014. It will provide an insider's look into the political process by involving interns in political campaigns during this Lok Sabha Election. Under the mentorship of Prof. Rajeev Gowda, interns will learn the “Art and Craft of Practical Politics.” You too can join now. Check: www.facebook.com/ProfRajeevGowda During this three-week internship, interns will gain first-hand knowledge about how an election campaign works, from the initial phase of strategising, campaigning and finally to exit poll analysis. Experts including Prof. Gowda, Dr.…

Nina Naik talking to people during campaign. Pic: Nikita Malusare There were no drum beats, there was no hailing of party slogans, there was no huge backing of crowd to attract the attention. The Aam Aadmi Party caps did the trick. Along with a few dedicated volunteers, Nina P Nayak, Bangalore South AAP Candidate, was seen campaigning on the streets of Gandhi Bazar. At 60 years, Nina P Nayak, adorned in dark blue sari with think gold border, a purse on her right shoulder and the Aam Aadmi Party’s trademark cap on her head, randomly spoke to people as she…

On March 24th, Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) shared information on the performance of sitting MPs at a press conference. As Kiran Shaw said, the idea was to highlight the issues and factors that citizens should keep in mind while exercising their franchise. This includes understanding the performance of MPs representing Bangalore City and voter perceptions. BPAC also shared Citizen Matters’ research and report on MPLAD expenditure and parliament record of the Bangalore MPs. Meera K, co-founder, Citizen Matters presented the data. Harish Narsappa of Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC) shared the findings relating to the performance of sitting MPs;…

It was a campaign time for Nandini Alva in our community. She started by describing herself as someone from Allahabad but married to a Mangalorian. Her husband was late Dr Jeevraj Alva, a politician. She was familiar with politics as she had helped in his nine election bids. She also mentioned that this constituency has 40 lakh people from 38 castes. And I thought here was another politician who has come to play dynastic and caste politics with us. After a thankfully short speech, she started Question and Answer session. On the SEZ construction on Bellundar lake, she gave a…

Even as I write this, the chaos marring the BPAC-organised debate among South Bangalore's high profile candidates and its eventual abandonment forms much of the social media discourse at least in Bangalore circles. I was not present at the venue and haven't had a chance to see the recordings either till now. However I did happen to be present for a brief while at another event, micro-level in comparison to the greater show of the day. It was at Shobha Daffodil, an apartment complex in HSR Layout where the BJP MP Ananth Kumar had come to "meet residents" to push…

Dear Candidate, The content of this open letter is not something you would possibly expect. It is not something your average voter will ask you to deliver if you are elected. More importantly, most citizens will know little about this issue but could surely be impacted. I am a father who lost a young son in the 23 February 2010 Carlton Towers tragedy. I write to you on behalf of ‘Beyond Carlton’, a registered trust that was set up by the family members of those who were affected by the 23 Feb 2010 Carlton Towers tragedy.  Our aims include: Creating…

Pic: Josephine Joseph I was at the debate ‘Candidates Meet Citizens - Bangalore South Constituency’ organised by Bangalore Political Action Committee (BPAC). I reached there well before the event started. Half the auditorium was already filled up with media and the candidates’ campaign crew. Gradually the hall filled up with citizens and of course, party workers - I guess the show of strength at a forum meant for citizens is important, especially if you need people clapping and whistling when there is a pause after a conjunction so the citizens sitting there think you said something important.   The format…