From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Mar 28: Will the gamble of Congress-JD(S) coalition leaders in fielding 38-year-old Rizwan Arshad from the prestigious Bengaluru Central parliamentary constituency that has been won by BJP’s P C Mohan in the last two elections in 2009 and 2014 succeed in the ensuing polls?
The Congress candidate, who graduated from being a Youth Congress leader to become MLC, is trying his luck in this small and compact lok sabha constituency with a large number of young and politically aware voters is confident of emerging victorious in the forthcoming elections.
Pitted against stiff competition with the likes of two-time MP PC Mohan of the BJP and new entrant actor turned politician Prakash Raj, as an independent, Rizwan Arshad’s confidence stems from the fact that he has youth on his side and his experience from his previous bout from the same constituency.
Rizwan is counting on his connect with the younger generation. His experience as the President of the Youth Congress could be his plus point.
One of the strategies of the Congress party is to lay impetus on youth and Rizwan Arshad is seen as a young leader, who will appeal to a large number of first time voters and youth in general. He is an educated leader who has a very good relationship across communities.
Rizwan has the backing of several senior leaders in the Congress including four out of five MLAs and 26 out of 30 BBMP Corporators of the Bengaluru Central Constituency. His local backing is coming from the development works that he has carried out in the BBMP wards forming part of Bengaluru Central.
The developmental works include road laying, sewage pipelines, new bus routes to ease public transportation woes. Voters are seeking support in terms of employment opportunities, healthcare centers, drinking water supply, roads, public transport, street lighting and easing traffic congestion.
Among his priorities, Rizwan is keen to address these issues if voted to power. Often in the past, funds that have been allocated by the Centre for development work in the constituency has been returned without being utilized. His aim is to fully utlilse Central funds for the constituency that has been allocated for development for the betterment of the constituency and the social and economic upliftment of the people.
Rizwan Arshad says Prakash Raj is a first time candidate with limited appeal focused mainly at his fans while P C Mohan has failed to create a direct rapport with the people of the constituency. Locals have been reeling under various issues including lack of safety for women, public toilets, parking, street lights, drinking water, recurring street fights, waste management etc.
Bengaluru Central was won by the BJP in 2009 and since then the Congress has not been able to set a foothold there, despite having a stronghold in five of the eight Assembly constituencies.
Victory for the Congress would however still depend on how Rizwan Arshad goes about his election campaigning with interactions with members of the constituency that will create a sense of proximity and confidence in voters and his ability to counter the strong RSS-BJP base in the area.