Series: Lok Sabah Elections 2014

Pic: http://cnarayanaswamy.com/ C Narayanaswamy, the Congress candidate from Bangalore North, seems to be a very busy man. Each time we called his number, we were told, ‘Sir is campaigning’ or ‘Sir is in a meeting’. We finally managed to catch up with him in a telephonic interview at 11 pm in the night. The 66-year-old candidate truly sounded tired at the end of a long day, his voice almost hoarse. Nevertheless, he patiently spent about 10 minutes talking to us about why he would make a good candidate and why good leaders are important for the society. Why should people…

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You are going to vote for a candidate as your MP for the next five years; this might not be a one-minute decision if you have an open mind and are willing to compare the candidates. This cheatsheet is meant to help get all the info for your own comparison in one place, so that you spend less time searching. Bengaluru Central comprises of Rajajinagar, Chamrajpet, Gandhinagar, Shivajinagar, Shantinagar, Sarvagnanagar, C V Raman Nagar and Mahadevapura assembly constituencies. It has around 15 lakh voters, from various communities and linguistic backgrounds, and includes large slums and traditional neighbourhoods of Shivaji Nagar,…

Pic courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/ruthmanorama Ruth Manorama, womens' rights activist awarded with Rights Livelihood award, contesting as a JD(S) candidate from Bengaluru South, spoke to Citizen Matters on her unexpected entry into politics and her goals. Excerpts: Why do you want to go to parliament? I have been advocating for women in politics. There is utter criminalization, communalization and corruption of the political system. The capacity and capabilities of women should be used to understand how poverty and inequality impacts development. Women should be involved in politics internally, not just externally. Women are able to talk and engage with the government and…

Pic: Shree D N In a telephonic interview with Citizen Matters, Aam Aadmi Party candidate from Bengaluru North, Babu Mathew, reveals his plans for future. Here are the excerpts from the interview which summarise his policies and plans for his constituency, interaction with voters etc. AAP is known to have deserted Delhi. Why should people vote for AAP in this elections? Won't voting for AAP lead to a hung parliament? AAP is the first step towards the second freedom movement in India. How does your party plan to control corruption? AAP is determined to see the passage of the Jan…

Pic: Nikita Malusare P C Mohan had made many promises in 2009, when he contested Lok Sabha elections from Bengaluru Central. Many voters wonder what he has done, even as a survey shows him scoring well on many fronts. As a candidate to the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, this is what PC Mohan promised in an interview with Smart Vote. * 3 priorities of your constituency? Concentrate on infrastructure, public amenities and environmental issues * How do you plan to address these issues in parliament? Certain issues can be sorted out in state, some need grants. Whatever is required I…

P C Mohan campaigning with Arvind Limbavali in an open vehicle. Pic: Nikita Malusare North-east of Bengaluru has some semi-urban areas or villages — Seegehalli, Kannamangala and Avalahalli among others — which don’t attract anyone, let alone politicians, on an ordinary day. However, P C Mohan was seen campaigning here along with Aravind Limbavali, on April 7th, 2014. The two leaders of BJP were seen doing a roadshow in an open vehicle that advertised Narendra Modi on one side and P C Mohan on the other. Citizen Matters caught up with the roadshow at Seegehalli. Three Innovas and a Swift,…

I hit the campaign trail this morning to see for myself what voters feel. Earlier this week, the idea popped in my head that I should step beyond the smug cocktail circuit to revisit the grassroots election campaign. I have not done this for over a decade, and I feel that I have to observe first hand these elections that have thrown up so many vexatious questions that no party is able to answer. I am also curious to see if campaigning has changed now – what with a new breed of candidates, and more questioning constituents. AAP volunteers at…

The General Elections 2014 have begun. In the first phase reports suggest 80 - 85% polling in Tripura and 75% voter turnout in Assam. Voter turnout in phase two, in the other four North Eastern states of Arunachal, Meghalaya, Manipur and Nagaland began on a low note till noon. But picked up by end of day with Nagaland and Manipur recording around 80% and Arunachal a 55% The national BJP Manifesto and the JD(S) manifesto for Bangalore city were released this week. The CPI (M), Congress and AAP termed aspects of the BJP manifesto as communal and the Congress went…

The election madness hasn’t perturbed her one bit. She seems to have seen it all, right from the time she started extensively campaigning for numerous elections post her marriage to politician Dr Jeevraj Alva, when she was no more than 16 years old! Being a danseuse, businesswoman, socialite and homemaker, she did not fear adding more to her juggling act. Today, Nandini Alva, all of 52, sounds very articulate when we speak to her about her entry into politics. She has been chosen to contest as a JD(S) candidate from Bangalore Central for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. Nandini Alva…