B'luru Development Minister, but no growth in his constituency'

Can you share some of the major issues plaguing the constituency?
A: The constituency is represented by none other than  K J George,  who holds the crucial portfolio of Bengaluru Development Minister. But when he is not able to look after his own constituency, how can he contribute to the development of the city? Sarvagnanagar is riddled with lots of issues ranging from garbage, sewage, hygiene, drinking water, traffic, power, roads, drugs, prostitution, rowdyism and women’s safety.

Wards like Nagawara, K G Halli and portions of HBR Layout are populated largely by people of middle and low income groups. When it rains these areas literally float as there are no proper drains or stormwater drains here. Shockingly,  in a city like Bengaluru, you come across open defecation in these wards. Some sections of the constituency still have no Cauvery water supply and those that do get it only twice a week.

If the constituency is riddled with so many problems, then why are the people not raising them with the officials concerned and Mr George ?
A: The people are not quiet. They have been repeatedly approaching the officials and the Minister himself. But all complaints have fallen on deaf ears. When the people go to give their complaints to the Minister at his office in the constituency they are just taken and they are asked to leave. During my 45-day tour of the constituency , when I interacted with people of all walks of life, I did not get any positive feedback.

Q: But why should people vote for you?
A: AAP managed to win Delhi not on money or muscle power but on the promise of giving a corruption-free government. After we came to power we have made significant progress in education, healthcare, power, water supply and on many other fronts. In Karnataka our team has already started preparing four sets of manifestos one for the state, another for the city, one for the constituency and another for special interest groups like farmers, youth and women. Ours will not be a usual 'copy and paste' manifesto, but will list the problems  and  provide solutions. We believe in people's politics and not power politics.  

Is it true that former Lokayukta ,Santosh Hegde is backing you ?
A:  Mr Hegde and I share a good relationship . We have been working together for many years right from the time of the 'Corruption Saku' and 'India Against Corruption' campaigns. He has been attending the meetings organised by us with Resident Welfare Associations and others in the constituency and has been telling them to make the right choice by electing me.

How confident are you of winning ?
A: The voting percentage in Sarvagnanagar is one of the poorest in the city. In some of the wards it is as low as 35 per cent. All these years people did not have a right candidate against Mr George and this was reflected in the poor voter turnout. But this time I hope people will find an alternative in me and come out and vote.