Wheelchair-bound entrepreneur enters BBMP poll fray

Bengaluru: He may be living his life confined to a wheelchair but that has not stopped M. Thyagarajan from joining the poll fray in Shanthalanagar ward of BBMP. His entry has added new life to the poll scene with residents crowding around Mr Thyagarajan as he and his supporters knock on doors seeking votes. “I am contesting the BBMP election this time. Please vote for me,” says the candidate who has represented India in fencing at an international event.

After looking at him with wonder-struck eyes, residents smile and assure him of their support. “We need more people like you for a better society,” says one of them. “I live on a wheelchair but I am not handicapped. With the support of people, there are many things that I can achieve which may not be possible if I have to fight alone,” says 46-year-old Thyagarajan who is contesting the poll as an Independent.

Ask him the big question - why politics - and he has his reasons to offer. “The people in Shanthalanagar ward deserve a better life. Politicians promise the moon but do not fulfill any assurance. I want to provide them a better life.”

An entrepreneur by profession, he decided to enter public life after he extended financial aid to a new needy. “I have helped senior citizens with their medical expenses and have funded poor students’ education. I helped them with whatever little I earned from my cable TV business. I thought maybe if I had people’s support and power, I could help more people in other ways. For instance, I can improve the living conditions of people in Austin Town,” he says.

Garbage management, improving sanitary conditions and providing good roads are his priority. His message to voters: “If political parties give you money, take it. But don’t cast your vote based on the little money they give you. Don’t sell your vote. Choose a right leader.”

Help us clear BJP’s mess: Siddaramaiah

The Congress bandwagon for the BBMP polls has slowly but surely started moving with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G. Parameshwar hitting the campaign trail in BTM Layout on Thursday.

Lampooning the BJP for being pro-rich and pro-industry, the CM said his party had always worked for the cause of the poor. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised ‘acchhe din’ but it’s now more than a year and we have not seen even ‘kachche din’. They are making false promises and lying to the common man. The Congress has released '2,500 crore for Bengaluru alone, if these funds are to be utilised, you need to vote for our candidates,” he said.

Earlier at a meeting of Congress candidates, the CM said the party’s campaign would focus on the mess left behind by the BJP which ruled BBMP for five years. Dr Parameshwar recalled that the saffron party could not build even one flyover during its tenure.