By: Rizwan Asad
38 year old Rizwan Arshad, who has been chosen as the Congress candidate for Bangalore Central Lok Sabha constituency, 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, Rizwan Arshad’s confidence stems from the fact that he has youth on his side and his learnings from his previous rendezvous with elections from the same constituency. With around 21 lakh voters poised to cast their vote in Bangalore Central constituency, the youth in the constituency is set to double this year. Rizwan is counting on his connect with this section of voters, given that he will be able to make a connect with them. The fact that he is the President of the Youth Congress only works towards his advantage. 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. The other advantage working Rizwan’s way is that 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 twenty six out of thirty corporators of the Bangalore Central Constituency. A lot of his local backing is coming from the development works that Arshad has carried out in the constituencies representing Bangalore Central. Developmental works include road laying, sewage pipes laying, new bus routes to ease public transportation woes etc. Voters are looking to their MP to get 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 remains unfazed with his rivals. According to him, Prakash Raj is a first time candidate with limited appeal focused mainly at his fans. P C Mohan of the BJP has won the seat for the past two elections, but has failed to create a direct connect with the people of the constituency. There has also been a feel in a section of BJP supporters that there needs to be an alternate to PC Mohan. 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.
Bangalore 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. There are surveys that indicate that Bangalore Central will be a keenly contested seat and there is a general consensus among the public about the need for change. Victory for the Congress Party 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.
