Battle for Bengaluru: BJP looks to keep up winning streak; Cong banks on guarantees for breakthrough

ech hub Bengaluru's three Lok Sabha constituencies – South, Central, and North – are considered as BJP's turf

Bengaluru's Lok Sabha constituencies – South, Central, and North – are considered as BJP's turf, and the Congress is banking on its guarantees for a breakthrough.

Congress last won a LS election in Bengaluru 25 years ago (CK Jaffer Sharief from Bengaluru North in 1999). Political observers say that a sizeable migrant population, Narendra Modi's popularity, caste dynamics, BJP's grassroot-level party machinery, weak opposition candidates are among the factors that have helped the BJP in Bengaluru.

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In the past elections, there were murmurs that both parties worked out an arrangement, under which the Congress would field weak candidates against the BJP in three Lok Sabha constituencies, and the latter would reciprocate by not fielding strong contenders in assembly seats held by certain MLAs. However, both parties deny these claims.

In this election, the Congress banks on reaping the rewards from the implementation of five guarantees -free 10 kg rice, 200 units power/month, Rs 2000 monthly assistance for female heads of households, free bus travel for women and unemployment allowance for the youth.

The Congress party also aims to resonate with Kannadigas and other urban voters through its 'My tax, my right' campaign, that alleges 'unjust treatment' by the Union government on tax devolution.

With Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who holds the Bengaluru development portfolio, spearheading the election campaign in the city, strong contenders have been fielded to prevent any easy walkovers for the BJP, like in the past.

Smaller parties, like the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Left, part of the INDIA alliance, have decided not to contest in this election to ensure that anti-BJP votes are not split.

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However, the BJP believes that Modi's guarantees and the alliance with the JDS, which helps consolidate Vokkaliga votes, can maintain its winning streak in Bengaluru.

Moneycontrol looks at three Bengaluru constituencies as well as Bengaluru Rural and Chikkaballapur ahead of the voting day on April 26.

Bengaluru South

Bengaluru South is considered a safe seat for the BJP, which the Congress has only won once since 1977 (R Gundu Rao in 1989).
In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, BJP fielded the young leader Tejasvi Surya, who won by a margin of 3.3 lakh votes. However, this time he faces a stiff challenge from the Congress in 41-year-old Sowmya Reddy, who previously served as Jayanagar MLA and narrowly lost the 2023 assembly polls.

Sowmya, daughter of state transport minister Ramalinga Reddy, is banking on Congress guarantees, especially free bus travel for women. Ramalinga Reddy, a senior Congress leader with influence across the city, is leading her campaign.

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For Surya, the JDS-BJP alliance, Modi's guarantees, his parliamentary performance, and support from the RSS and the Brahmin community are favourable factors. Bengaluru South has elected only Brahmin candidates, except in 1991, when K Venkatagiri Gowda (BJP) won from there.

Sowmya is also targeting votes from her Reddy community, which has an influence in areas like Bommanahalli, where both BJP leader and Union minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi held roadshows on April 23.

While Surya is riding on his national image, there is discontent among depositors who lost money in the Guru Raghavendra Cooperative Bank scam. Voters are also unhappy over delays in the completion of the Electronics City Metro (Yellow Line). On the other hand, Sowmya is wooing voters by highlighting Surya's alleged communal politics, lack of accessibility, and the potential to elect Bengaluru's first female MP, particularly among women voters.

Bengaluru Central

Bengaluru Central, which covers IT hubs like Mahadevapura and CV Raman Nagar, was formed in 2008 after the delimitation process. Despite facing anti-incumbency, BJP's PC Mohan, who has won in the last three elections, is seeking re-election for the fourth time. However, he remains confident, relying on Modi's popularity and the consolidation of Hindu votes.

The Congress has fielded Mansoor Ali Khan, an educationalist and son of K Rahman Khan, a former Union Minister. Despite having five Congress MLAs in the eight assembly segments within the constituency, Mansoor reportedly isn't receiving adequate support from his party colleagues.

In contrast, Mohan's primary concern is anti-incumbency, triggered by complaints from residents and party workers regarding poor accessibility and lack of development. However, he remains optimistic, particularly in segments like Mahadevapura and CV Raman Nagar, where a significant North Indian voter base traditionally votes for the BJP, irrespective of the candidates.

Mansoor is banking on the implementation of five Congress guarantees, which have resonated with the urban poor, especially women voters, and believes his development promises will help him win. As AICC secretary in-charge, Mansoor played a key role in Congress's victory in Telangana. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy campaigned for him, especially in the Telugu-dominated areas of Mahadevapura.

Bengaluru North

The Congress last won Bengaluru North in 1999 (former Union minister CK Jaffer Sharief).  This time, the Congress hopes to spring a surprise by giving a ticket to the party's intellectual figure, MV Rajeev Gowda, and also by showcasing five guarantees that were implemented in the state.

Gowda is pitted against BJP leader and Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje, a close confidante of BS Yediyurappa, who shifted from Udupi - Chikkamagaluru due to opposition from local workers there.

A former IIM-B professor and Wharton-Berkley graduate, Gowda is also wooing techies and aspirational youngsters, who traditionally lean towards the BJP. He even conducted an e-meeting with tech professionals in the city.

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While both candidates are Vokkaligas, Gowda believes his clean image and 'mannina maga' (son of the soil) status, along with his family legacy, will help him.

Karandlaje, on the other hand, emphasises her familiarity with the constituency, having served as MLA from Yeswantpur in 2018. Bengaluru North also has a tradition of electing outsiders, including HT Sangliana (2004 LS polls), a former police officer who hails from the North-East. However, the support of BJP's Yeswantpur MLA ST Somashekhar, will be a shot in the arm for Gowda.

Gowda's major challenges are funds crunch, disconnect with grassroot- level workers and poor party machinery in assembly segments like Malleshwaram and Mahalakshmi Layout. Karandlaje believes that the consolidation of Vokkaliga votes due to the party's alliance with JDS will help her win the constituency.

Bengaluru Rural, Chikkaballapur

Bengaluru Rural, covering areas like Electronics City, is witnessing a high-profile battle, where the Election Commission is planning to rope in more paramilitary forces.

The Congress has fielded three-time MP, DK Suresh (58), brother of the Deputy CM and state party chief DK Shivakumar, from their stronghold. The BJP has fielded Dr CN Manjunath (66), a renowned cardiologist and the son-in-law of former Prime Minister and JD(S) supremo HD Deve Gowda.

Suresh, who faces a fierce battle from Manjunath, has forced Shivakumar to camp in the constituency and even personally visit apartment complexes to seek votes for his brother, probably for the first time.

Also, read: Meet BJP's Dr CN Manjunath, who is taking on Congress' DK brothers in Bengaluru Rural

The DK brothers and their family members are actively on the ground, campaigning for Suresh. The BJP camp believes it's a David versus Goliath fight, and the battle is heading towards a photo finish.

Chikkaballapur Lok Sabha constituency includes areas such as Yelahanka, and Kempegowda International Airport.

The contest is between BJP leader and former state minister K Sudhakar against Congress youth leader Raksha Ramaiah.

Traditionally, Chikkaballapur has been a stronghold of the Congress. Sudhakar is banking on support from Modi and the Vokkaliga votes. Raksha Ramaiah, the son of former minister MR Seetharam, whose family runs the MS Ramaiah Group of Institutions, has a wide network through their outreach programmes and is also relying on the implementation of Congress guarantees among the poor.