Governance

Gain in-depth understanding of civic administration, policy implementation and public policy. Find articles on the intricacies of urban governance, learn more about challenges and successes in local government operations, effectiveness of municipal bodies, and how it all affects the lives of citizens. Understand election processes and get critical information on choices and options. Be informed about active citizen engagement with governing authorities, and how residents can influence policy and hold them accountable.

Election Commission, through many special drives, has been focusing on getting more voters registered. Here are some observations based on the final voter roll numbers shared by the Election Commission. 20.7 Lakh voters have been added to the 28 constituencies of Bengaluru, 3.16 lakhs have been added in the two months March - May 2018! From an average of 2.5 lakhs voters in 2015, Bengaluru constituencies have an average voter roll size of 3.25 lakhs. The smallest constituency is Shivaji Nagar with 1.96 Lakh voters, the largest is Bengaluru South, three times that size, with 6.03 lakhs. Mahadevapura follows with…

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The two term MLA from Yelahanka is from BJP who had defeated four-time MLA B Prasanna of the Congress in 2008. Yelahanka is a hot spot for real estate development given its proximity to the Bangalore International Airport and that the National Highway passes through. He states himself to be a agriculturist. S R Vishwanath was raided by the Lokayukta in 2011 and according media reports, they had recovered 2.6 kgs of gold, 11 kgs of silver as well as Rs 14 lakh and Rs 3500 in cash. Affidavit: In his affidavit filed with the Election Commission in 2013, the…

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If you are one among the lakhs of voters of Govindrajnagar, this is what you need to know! Background information Understand the role of the MLA Learn all you can about the candidates: see below Locate your voting booth: TBD How to cast your vote: TBD Incumbent MLA: Priya Krishna Sitting MLA Priya Krishna won with a vote share of 55.36% in 2013. He was only 29 then. He is the son of MLA M Krishnappa (also known as Layout Krishnappa), also an MLA, representing Vijayanagar Constituency. He is of the richest candidates with Rs 910 Crore+ in assets, 777 cr…

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Priya Krishna, one of the youngest MLAs from the city, made waves for being the richest contestant. The Congress MLA who represents Govindarajnagar for the second time had declared moveable assets to the tune of Rs 815 crores and immovable assets upto Rs 95 crores. His father Krishnappa is the MLA from Vijayanagar. He has been a member of the Congress party since 2003 according his website. He is also one of the most qualified candidates in the city with the education qualification of MA-LLB. He is a Golfer who represented Karnataka in the 2001 National Games held in Punjab.…

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Zameer Ahmed Khan is a three-term MLA from Chamarajpet. He was fielded in the constituency by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda after former chief minister S M Krishna vacated the seat when he appointed Governor of Maharashtra. The Daridra Narayana rally held at Palace Grounds in 2004 to introduce the relatively new Khan heralded his political star. His close proximity to H D Kumarswamy saw him part of many a political dramas including the coup against the Dharam Singh Government in 2006 when HDK broke ranks with his father to align with the BJP. In 2016, Khan led…

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The first term MLA from Mahalakshmi Layout won his election on a JD(S) ticket. In 2017, he was suspended from the party along with his party colleagues from the city, Zameer Ahmed and Srinivas Murthy for cross-voting during the Rajya Sabha Election in 2016. He was brought back into the party's fold after an apology to the party disciplinary committee. He began his political career as a municipal corporator from Vrushabhavathi ward. The seat was later won by his wife, Hemalatha Gopalaiah, who was elected as the 50th Deputy Mayor of Bangalore. The MLA has maintained a low profile and…

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If you are one among the lakhs of voters of Padmanabha Nagar, this is what you need to know! Background information: Understand the role of the MLA Learn all you can about the candidates: see below Locate your voting booth: TBD How to cast your vote: TBD Incumbent MLA: R. Ashoka Work and Life of R Ashoka in the last 5 years The situation during 2013 elections Related information: http://opencity.in/information/karnataka-election-candidate-profile-r-ashoka List of candidates, 2018: R. Ashok Party: BJP Family: Wife & 1 Dependent Educational Qualification: B. Sc. Profession: Agriculturalist & Public Servant Online: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashoka.ramaiah.3 Twitter: @RAshokaBJP Number of Pending…

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S Muniraju is a two-term MLA from Dasarahalli. He won his seat in 2013 with high margin of almost 22 thousand votes. Muniraju states he started his political career as labour leader  from 1976 before joining the BJP. Muniraju in his affidavit states there are four cases pending against him. The tenth pass MLA has declared assets worth Rs 1.45 crores in currency other forms without including land. Dasarhalli has elected BBMP corporators from all three parties though the BJP has the numbers. The issues are similar to all the newly added areas to Greater Bengaluru - lack of drains,…

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Not many are aware that there is a post of nominated Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Karnataka Assembly meant for Anglo-Indian community, which is similar to the regular MLA, without voting rights for Rajya Sabha. Vinisha Nero held this post for last five years. Hailing from Bengaluru, she also was the sole woman MLA from the city for the term 2013-2018. We spoke to her to understand what her role was and what she could do during her term. Excerpts: Not many people are aware that there is a nominated MLA in the Assembly. Would you explain the process…

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If you are one among the lakhs of voters of Shivajinagar, this is what you need to know! Incumbent MLA: Roshan Baig R http://opencity.in/information/karnataka-election-candidate-profile-roshan-baig-r List of candidates, 2018 R Roshan Baig Party:Indian National Congress Family: Wife, 2 dependants Educational Qualification: BCom Profession: Social Worker Online: Twitter:@rroshanbaig Number of Pending Criminal Cases:NIL Net Worth: IT Returns:Self-1.15 cr, Spouse-4.44 lakhs Movable Assets:Self-7.62 cr, Spouse-1.14 cr Immovable Assets:Self-25.30 cr, Spouse-2.15 cr Liabilities:Self-15.58 cr, Spouse-1.69 cr Katta Subramanya Naidu Party:Bharatiya Janata Party Family: Wife, 3 dependants Educational Qualification: SSLC Profession: Real Estate Online:  Facebook:kattasubramanyanaiduofficial Twitter: @kattasnaidu Number of Pending Criminal Cases: Net Worth IT…

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