Karnataka Elections 2018: Clash of the titans

Shivajinagar will see a fierce battle between Roshan Baig and Katta Subramanya

Offering a thrilling poll battle, Shivajinagar, a trading and residential hub at the centre of Bengaluru, has already gained the state’s attention. Unlike other elections, this time the constituency has turned out to be a battleground for two leaders after a hiatus of almost 25 years.

Incumbent MLA from Congress and Urban Development minister Roshan Baig will take on his former arch-rival Katta Subramanya Naidu, making it one of the toughest battles in the state itself. Though Naidu, a former BJP minister, had migrated to Hebbal soon after the delimitation exercise in 2008, he had lost the seat to his own party colleague Narayanaswamy as Katta stayed away from electoral politics in 2013, owing to corruption charges. With the BJP also facing dearth of suitable candidates in Shivajinagar and Katta being freed of charges, he has made a comeback to Shivajinagar.

Interestingly, it was from Shivajinagar that Katta had made his political debut.

Roshan Baig used to contest from Jayamahal Assembly constituency and had to find place in Shivajinagar after the delimitation. In fact, in 1994 both
the leaders contested against each other and Baig, then with the Janata Dal, had defeated Katta Naidu. Subsequently, Katta migrated to neighbouring Hebbal constituency for a political rebirth. Since then both the leaders got repeatedly elected to the Assembly.

Despite their political differences, both Baig and Naidu remain good friends. According to political observers, it was this bonhomie that helped both the leaders over the years.

“The constituencies represented by both the leaders were such that they required each other’s support. As Jayamahal constituency lost its existence, parts of it were added to both Hebbal and Shivajinagar constituency. While Katta had enough support in Shivajinagar area, Baig had sway over some of the area in Hebbal Assembly,’ said a political observer.

In spite of his prolonged absence from his earlier home turf —Shivajinagar, Katta Naidu has considerable clout in the area. His close bonding with the Tamil-speaking population is said to be an added advantage, according to BJP insiders. Though both the RSS and a few senior BJP leaders wanted to field corporator Gopi, the saffron brigade thought that Katta Subramanya Naidu would be the suitable candidate to take on Roshan Baig as he had
already lost his Hebbal seat to Narayanaswamy.

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However, it would not be an easy task for Katta as well.

Focussing on health, sanitation and other aspects, Minister Roshan Baig had considerably well and works have been received well by the people of the constituency.

Being a minister in the state cabinet, Roshan Baig has got several other infrastructural projects to the constituency, giving it a modern touch. Easily accessible to voters and considerable vote share of Muslim community are some of the strengths of Baig in the constituency.

Yet, the BJP is determined to wrest the seat from the Congress.

The JD(S), despite its repeated attempts over the past few years, has failed to get a foothold in the constituency. While the constituency also has a few independent candidates, the fight will be between Roshan Baig and Katta Subramanya Naidu.

“It will be one of the fiercest poll battles this election. Both the leaders have considerable base in the constituency. It remains to be seen which way the electorate will swing in Shivajinagar,” said a political observer.