Bengaluru: Shanthinagar constituency presents a picture of contrasts: there are high-end apartments, posh houses and luxurious malls and there are the bane of modern cities-numerous slums and shanties dotting the whole place.
Located in Central Bengaluru, Shantinagar was populated by the British during the years before Independence which is evident from the numerous British-style houses though many of them have given way to apartments, business establishments and malls. Areas like MG Road, Brigade Road, Richmond Road, Vittal Mallya Road, Langford Town, Mcgrath Road, Richmond Town and Victoria Layout boast of the illustrious history of the place while the slums, spread across Vannarpete, Neelasandra, Ejipura and Jogupalya say the sad story of under development.
Sitting Congress MLA N.A. Haris, has been representing the constituency for two terms from 2008 and is all set to contest from the same seat a third time. He has had a smooth ride except for a rough patch in recent months when his son Mohammed Nalapad was accused of attacking a youth in a high end pub. Some people blame him for the arrogance of power which his son exhibited all because he was part of the ruling party.
In fact, Shanthinagar constituency is no stranger to law and order problems and the latest incident could make the battle for Mr Haris a bit tedious. There are many among the educated lot looking forward to a new face who can work for them without flaunting his clout or being arrogant. In view of this, Haris knows his real vote bank lie in the slums in the constituency and he is doing his best to gain their confidence. He has also been campaigning in posh apartments and residential complexes no doubt promising to improve Shantinagar rapidly compared to other areas in the city, if he is elected a third time.
Like every other Bengaluru locality, the problems people face here are drinking water shortage, clogged drains, increase in anti-social activity and no proper connectivity for public modes of transport. Jyotsna Rodrigues, a music teacher and a resident of Shanthinagar, says, “Drinking water supply is erratic and we have to get our water from private water tankers which is expensive. We have complained several time to the BWSSB, all we get to hear is that the problem will be resolved at the earliest but in vain.”
Ms Rodrigues added, “There are several colleges in the constituency but nothing has been done to ensure safety of women students. Near every college, there are men roaming around drinking and smoking but there is no action taken against them. The MLA should ensure that there is constant policing near colleges and schools. There are also complaints of vehicle theft, house theft and women not safe on the road.”
Illegal constructions are another major worry here which has taken a toll of the greenery.
“The government has made no effort to check illegal constructions and encroachments and no action will be taken against them in future too as they belongs to influential people and no common man can fight against them. We have to learn to live with it or perish silently.”
But a few citizens appreciated the efforts of Mr Haris, as he had ensured that several under-developed areas were developed to some extent if not completely. Arun Lobo, a businessman and resident of Neelasandra said that it was only after Haris became MLA that the constituency witnessed development.
“Several slums were converted into houses with all basic facilities. Government schools and colleges were improved and admissions increased too, even the government hospitals saw a makeover. There was a drainage problem which was addressed by laying a new underground system. Proper roads were laid and garbage collection has been effective. Haris is available to anyone at any time of the day. He has always fulfilled promises and addressed problems without saying no. He has been a helping hand especially to the economically weaker sections and this is why he has won twice consecutively,” added Lobo.
When asked if the incident involving his son Mohammad Nalapad would affect his poll prospects, most citizens felt that as it was the son who was accused of the attack, the father could not be blamed. Haris has been a good leader and he cannot be blamed for what his friends and family members do, they reasoned.
‘My work will speak for itself’
Q and A with N.A. Haris, Probable Congress Candidate
How has Shanthinagar developed for the past ten years under your tenure and what are the major challenges faced?
Before I became the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA), the Shanthinagar constituency was under developed and there was no developmental work happening on any front. It was only after I came into power in 2008, that I started doing ground work in the constituency and carried out an intense research of what the public actually require. We found that there was no proper sanitation system, water supply, electricity and most of the basis amenities were not in good condition and these were the major challenges. We also found that the water supply system, drainage system where all laid during the British period and this had to be dug up completely and new system was brought in and this took time. But we were satisfied that we brought in one of the best system for water supply and drainage system. There were numerous slums and now I can gurantee that there is only 10 per cent of huts while the rest of them are being converted into houses. A few slums are yet to be developed as there is land conflict. We are working constantly to improve the system and I will ensure that the basic amenities and facilities are not compromised for anything. The public wants basic facilities and we are here to provide them.
If you win in the coming elections, what are your plans for Shanthinagar constituency?
We have already planned for the future and our priorities have been listed. Improvement of government schools and colleges is the need of the hour. Our constituency has high end private schools and colleges but the government schools and colleges are not up to the mark and we will work towards making it better and ensure free education to people who cannot afford to go to a private educational institution. Similarly, there are numerous private hospitals and people below the poverty line cannot afford treatments in these hospitals. I will ensure that the government hospitals in the constituency will be improved with the best facilities for any kind of treatment. We will also develop three community centres where people can conduct marriage or any other ceremonies and there is no need for them to shell out money to hire private halls. A sports complex with high end facilities will be set up and next to it, we will have an officers complex, where all the officials from BBMP and other departments including the MLA sit in that building to attend the public grievances.
People from your constituency are constantly complaining of drinking water problem, law and order situations and no metro connectivity, is there a plan in place to address these issues?
We are aware of these problems, as we conduct grievance meeting with the public on frequent basis. Drinking water is a basic right for every individual and I will make sure that every house hold gets drinking water connection. Drinking water is one of the basic facility and anyone who cannot provide water, cannot be fit to be a leader. There are also issues of law and order situation due to the anti-social elements and effective measures will be taken up in co-ordination with the police and we want Shanthinagar to be a peaceful constituency. Numerous complaints have been received that people parking their vehicles on the roads in front of their houses get stolen, here we can see two problems, one is lack of parking space and the other is no proper public transport. There is also no metro connectivity and this is already being worked on. When there is proper public transport available, people will gradually not opt to travel in their own vehicles and this will decrease in air and noise pollution.
It is learnt that you have no stiff competition in the coming elections but people want a change and want to see a new MLA, is it true?
I have always been people-friendly and ensured that I fulfill their promises. There is no chance for them to elect for a new face, as my work speaks. The opposition leaders not visible and they appear only during the election time and this does not create a good image in the public eye. Even if there is strict competition, we will give a tough fight, as we are working for the common man.
How confident you’re about winning the coming elections?
I am confident that I would win the elections, as I have been working 24/7 for the development. There is a close connection between me and the public and I am sure that people will vote for a candidate who does work and is active.
