GENRE: In Focus

A constituency situated in central Bangalore, Shivaji Nagar which consists of trading hub in and around the iconic Russell Market and Bamboo Bazaar and affluent wards like Jaymahal and Vasanth Nagar, is in the general category. Known for edifices of religious and historical significance such as St.Mary's Basilica and Jumma Masjid in Shivaji Nagar and Someshwara temple and Gurudwara in Halasuru ward, the constituency has a large Tamil and Urdu-speaking population. With a total of 19 contestants including 11 independents but no women, this area houses the Karnataka headquarters of the Indian National Congress (INC) on Queen's road, Janata Dal…

All wards in Yeshwanthpur constituency are recent additions to the BBMP. This is a large constituency which also includes villages outside the BBMP limits. Hence many areas lack basic facilities compared to old BBMP areas.Kengeri railway station and Kengeri satellite town come under this constituency. It also has many industries. NICE (Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises) ring road and BMIC (Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor) passes through the constituency. There have been protests about NICE Ltd acquiring more road than is required, and using it to build private layouts. There have been various court cases on this; but in a recent affidavit,…

  Byatarayanapura is a part of the Bangalore Urban District with around 3.1 lakh voters. It suffers from road infrastructure issues. Bus connectivity is also of concern to residents. Land encroachment is another troublesome issue. Bad roads have been a menace to this constituency. They've led to unbearable traffic and road accidents. Drinking water supply also remains inadequate. Reason being, borewells have gone dry. The constituency consists of seven BBMP wards -- Jakkur, Thanisandra, Byatarayanapura, Kodigehalli, Vidyaranyapura, Doddabommasandra and Kuvempunagar; as well as eight gram panchayats of Doddajalla, Chikkajalla, Hunsemaranahalli, Bagalur, Marenahalli, Sonappanahalli, Betta Halasooru, Bandi Kodigehalli; and three Zilla…

Chamarajpet constituency which is made up of Padarayanapura, Jagajivanaramnagar, Rayapuram, Chalavadipalya, K R Market, Chamrajapet and Azad Nagar wards falls under to General Category. According to a recent report, "Muslim voters who number nearly 65,000 of the total 1.74 lakh are the key. The next highest are the Tamils with about 25,000 votes. There are many other communities too that have between 6,000 and 15,000 votes." Chamarajpet Assembly Constituency has 4 Women corporators. The wards are evenly split between BJP, INC and JDS with 2 corporators each.It is interesting to note that while there were 214,874 registered voters during the…

If you are on Hosur road going towards Electronic city in the evenings and not taking the elevated flyover, chances are you are going to be stuck at the Gaarvebhavipalya junction. The usual sights and sounds of traffic chaos strike you loud and clear. You will also see a bunch of young women balancing plastic pots while waiting for a safe moment to cross the busy junction. These young women cross over the busy and often dangerous highway, from Hongasandra side to Bandepalya to collect water every other day. Water is the biggest concern in sitting MLA Sathish Reddy's backyard…

On the face of it residents of Jayanagar Assembly constituency have very little to complain. It is one of the city's best planned residential areas, with a bustling central shopping complex, wide roads, plenty of parks and playgrounds. But, take a look closer and you will find that it faces the same problems that haunt rest of the city. The huge influx of people and rampant commercialisation has changed the face of this once-quiet residential neighbourhood. While some parts of the constituency have received adequate care and attention, other parts are yet to get even basic amenities. Apart from Jayanagar,…

A constituency situated in north-east Bangalore, Pulikeshinagar has been reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC's). It has seven wards where the major population is the low and middle income category in some parts like Richards Town. Considering the linguistic and religious diversity in the area, it is not surprising to find that election campaigns are being held in Tamil, Hindi and English apart from Kannada.The constituency which has small commercial establishments in addition to residential neighbourhoods, has a total 13 contestants including three independents. Key issuesMohen S, a techie and resident of S K Garden ward, explained the problems: "Speeding vehicles,…

Hebbal, once considered the northern endpoint of the city, is now the epicentre of its growth, as Bangalore spreads its tentacle-like flyovers in every direction. The last two decades have seen the conversion of what was essentially a cluster of villages, set apart by Hebbal Lake, into one of Bangalore’s busiest and populated suburbs. As Hebbal turned into a gateway for the new airport, driving land prices up, rents and property rates in the heart of the city have rendered it unlivable for a large population. From private gated community projects to IT ‘parks’, Hebbal has witnessed explosive growth without…

With over two lakh voters, the traditional neighborhoods of the Mahalakshmi Layout constituency are a hot spot for commercial activities too. Narrow roads and water supply shortage have been the foremost issues left unresolved by the incumbent and earlier elected leaders. Abutting the major localities of Yeshwantpur, Rajajinagar and Malleshwaram, this constituency has grown at a fast pace. There is also an exodus of workers from Peenya Industrial suburbs to the quieter locales of Nandini Layout and Mahalakshmipuram. The constituency consists of seven wards. JDS and Congress have three corporators each along with the lone BJP representative, S Harish from…

Chickpet constituency, carved out during delimitation from parts of Basavanagudi, Chamarajpet and Jayanagar, is one of oldest business districts in Bangalore, home to thriving market places frequented by thousands. Yet, even as it is possibly one of the highest contributing areas to the state exchequer, the area is plagued by archaic civic problems, as well as others that are brought upon by the conflict between commercial interests and residential living. From choked roads, traffic bottlenecks and lack of parking spaces to choked drains, garbage problems, pollution and sanitation woes, the constituency seems to be crying out for an overhaul. Key…