Karnataka - Bangalore   

Ex-corporators prove their mettle

BANGALORE: Joseph, a carpenter who resides in a hut in Austin Town, removes his purse and shows a photograph. “This is Salam. He is the person who comes to our help whenever we are in need. He is the one whom we approach for all our problems.”

Joseph is among the many residents in this slum who remember Salam, husband of the former Congress corporator Zabeen Taj. “He gives money for our medical expenses. He comes to our help whenever we call. He does not mind spending nights with us in the hospital during emergencies and make arrangements for cremation,” said another resident Rosyamma, whose family has 12 members.

The residents of this slum go on narrating various instances when Salam has come to their help. Is there any purpose behind the favours rendered by Salam? Another resident Ravi said: “He just wants to serve people. We are indebted to him. We will vote for the candidate he recommends… we would have voted for him if he had contested from here.”

Mr. Salam, the visible face of ex-corporator Zabeen Taj, was seen with N.A. Harris, the Congress candidate for Shantinagar Assembly constituency, during the latter’s door-to-door campaign in Austin Town. He was found introducing Mr. Harris to every other resident of the locality and also seeking votes in favour of the party.

Involving former corporators or their spouses for the door-to-door campaign is not only restricted to Austin Town. This is seen in many areas including Ulsoor, Bharati Nagar and Visveshwarapuram.

M. Saravanan, who represented Shivajinagar ward in the previous Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, and M. Pari, who represented Bharati Nagar ward, are moving with Congress candidate Roshan Baig, while former Mayor P.R. Ramesh is campaigning for R.V. Devaraj.

The corporators, who have been out of power for the last 18 months, are playing a vital role in election campaign in the city that has been largely devoid of banners, buntings and paraphernalia, thanks to strict implementation of election code of conduct. The party candidates are involving the corporators to cover the areas coming in their constituency and cash in on the goodwill the latter have in the respective wards.

Former Mayor Mr. Ramesh said: “We form the grass root representatives of the people. I am the first person who will be called for problems related to drinking water, road and sewerage problem. The officials too keep in touch with us for getting feedback on the development programmes,” he said. Each Assembly constituency has a minimum of three wards.

Talking about the effect corporators will have on the campaign, Mr. Ramesh, who was an aspirant for the ticket from Chickpet Assembly constituency, said: “It all depends on the impact of the work by the corporator. If it is good it will extend beyond the ward he is representing. The work that we do as a corporator helps in winning Assembly elections too,” he said.

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