With just hours to go before the elections, the Chamaraja Assembly Constituency, a vital part of the Cultural Capital of Mysuru, is witnessing hectic politics. The fight has narrowed down to the natives of Kannegowdana Koppal (K.G. Koppal), turning it into a battle for prestige.

The 59-year-old incumbent BJP MLA L. Nagendra, is seeking re-election and is leaving no stone unturned to outsmart his rivals by playing his cards close to his chest since the election was announced. He is tirelessly seeking votes in his favour, visiting every nook and cranny of the Constituency daily.

Nagendra, son of late Lingaiah and a resident of First Cross, 11th Main, Jayanagar in city, received his early education at Hardwicke School. Later in life, he became a Corporator of the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and served as the Chairman of the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA), gaining vast administrative and political experience.

Luckily, Nagendra was elected to the Legislative Assembly in his maiden electoral fight in 2018 with a thumping victory. He reaffirms his faith in the development works undertaken in the Constituency that will help him return to Vidhana Soudha.

Despite his busy schedule in the hustings, Nagendra took some time to speak to the Star of Mysore (SOM) about the development works initiated in the Constituency during his last five-year tenure as an MLA.

By Mohan Kayaka

Star of Mysore (SOM): What’s your take on getting an opportunity again to contest the polls?

Nagendra: Firstly, I am an obedient and honest worker of the BJP. Based on the scale of development work carried out in the Constituency in the last five years, our national and State leaders have granted me the opportunity again. I am largely indebted to them and will work to keep their faith intact.

SOM: How is the voter response   this time?

Nagendra: I am 100 percent confident of winning the elections again as the people of the Constituency are also impressed by the way I have developed it. Wherever I go for canvassing, the response is good. I have given due priority to streamlining the road, drainage, and UGD systems.

SOM: By now, you may be aware of various issues in the Constituency.

Nagendra: It’s not possible to anticipate all the problems that may arise in the future. However, the most serious issue in the Constituency is related to the erratic water supply, which comes under the purview of the MCC. Besides this issue, there are no other serious problems in the Constituency. I have worked in such a way that nobody can even cite an instance of issues plaguing the people.

SOM: What will be your first priority after winning the polls?

Nagendra: More than our priority, what counts more is the needs of the people, and I will work accordingly. I have always prioritised the requirements of the general public and will continue to do so in the coming days. Hence, people are impressed by my working style.

SOM: What do you want to assure voters this time?

Nagendra: My focus will be on addressing job-related issues that have become a serious problem due to the rapid growth of Mysuru City. I will also prioritise tourism development and bring in reforms in the health sector. Building Ashraya Houses and making the Constituency hut-free are also among my promises. My biggest ambition is to make Chamaraja the best zone with high-tech basic amenities and I am confident that people will bless me again to reach this goal.

SOM: Have the voters pointed out any serious issues?

Nagendra: The people themselves have stated that there are no burning issues in the Constituency. However, it has come to my notice that some localities are still facing disruptions in drinking water supply. Mysuru is a cultural city and we are making efforts to permanently resolve UGD-related issues.

SOM: How are you attracting young voters in the Constituency?

Nagendra: The youth in our Constituency are inspired by the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and are joining the party in large numbers. We have a strong support base among the youth and many young organisations have joined hands with the BJP Yuva Morcha to work towards our common goals.

BJP is a platform for young people and the Prime Minister himself has introduced programmes that cater to the aspirations of the youth. We are reaching out to them through social media, public meetings and other platforms to ensure that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.