CKJS seems to have given up, DBCG holds some hope after jumping ship. On whether to vote for party or candidates Capt Gopi summed up the reality, there is no devolution of powers to local units let alone individuals within the party.

Congress is clearly disillusioned and in a mess in KA. Veteran C K Jaffer Sharief said in the smartvote/TV9 debate, “After losing last time, I want to win now. I will then think of retiring”. This isnt exactly motivating stuff to go out and vote for him.

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Don't believe in not voting. Don't buy the funda of "none of the above" either, what purpose will a thing like that serve. So I will go vote.

Just to come clean in public, I voted BJP in assembly. Don't think I will ever vote for JD-S. Its between Cong and BJP (or a good independent, but I am not in BLR South). Already punished Cong once (last assembly) for screwing up the state over last 7 years. Have to think if the punishement is done, or need to deny them a vote this time as well.

Would have considered Cong if it was not CKJS. I would have joined Cong myself had I known that there are no young and motivated members left in Congress Party in the area :)

I have not considered BSP yet, any good reasons to look them up!?

Some friends ask me why I don't have a fixed party or ideology to vote each time, why do I swing. My response is - whats the diff really, except for the Muslim/Minority thing which is stoked so well by English media (riots etc happen anyway - Congress - Bhagalpur Bihar, I was a near-witness, Sikh riots - witnessed first hand, including how my 2 sikh class friends stopped coming to school once curfew was lifted on Nov 15 1984. and BJP Gujarat - we know enough about this one), people keep getting hacked and bombed regardless of either party's ideologies and English media's preferences.

What real different or sharp stands do these parties have on developmental issues? I would say Left is better in this respect - at least they have a stand, and they stick to it. Who else?

Perhaps, since the core and most important issue is still development, can't expect much difference across various party's promises. Comparison with America England etc is not valid, not because our voters are not mature (another amusing argument I hear so often), but because our issues still are very basic.

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actually what seems to be missing accross the board this time around, and not just in bangalore, is issues. no on seems to be going beyond jostling for a third front and speculating on PM candidates. and with people like varun gandhi bringing the level of discussion even lower,  its been an non-motivating uninspiring election. but yes, one will vote, sp now that i found myself on the voter rolls, with much searching and a little help from a kind soul in smartvote. i'm called janafer , but i am there !!

 having sat thruough all 40 odd candidate interviews, i find the overall calibre of independants standing is pathetic. most of them do not even know what an MP is let alone what he can do, and how he/she will raise issues in parliment. its almost like "fools rush in where angels fear to tread" type thing, as the angels know they can do very little as indpendents. so i guess one votes for party too. but not bjp because when they come to power,  it gives the loony fringes a false sense of righteousness, like it did in karnataka.

actually, after having closely worked with smartvote.in , on the "make an informed choice" platform, the sad truth is the only informed choice is "NOTA". though, as of now, the only difference that makes is if NOTA votes are recorded properly at the polling booths and enough people use it, then 1) no one can misuse yr vote and 2) there will be pressure to change the electoral system.

do read ram guha's cover story  in the latest outlook (april 20).

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I admit BLR north is not as "exciting" as BLR south. Untill recently, Malleswaram, where i live was in BLR south.

Ananth Kumar has a emotional attachment to Malleswaram and he started his Lok Sabha 09 rally from the famous Ganesha Temple in 8th Cross Road, Malleswaram.

I met him then and i told him it is a pity Malleswaram is not a part of BLR south anymore. He said, there are good candidates.

Although i have a big issue about D B Chandre Gowda (DBCG) who for over three decades was in the Congress. While DBCG was indeed an effective Law Minister in the State Government (he was under SMK then), it remains to be seen if he can repeat his performance in the Lok Sabha.

5 out of 8 assembly consituencies which form a part of BLR north voted BJP by wide margins in the last Assembly elections in the state.

IMO, DBCG will win. CKJS could probably then restrict himself to state politics or Rajya Sabha.

I raised the issue of water scarcity and arkavathi rejuvenation and nethravathi pump storage project with DBCG. Admitedly, DBCG has worked in the past on water issues and i look forward and wish him the best on his future works in this area.

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This is what happens when somebody wants to be reelected on the basis of work done and break the godfather nexus.

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EC has banned exit polls. 

Are Praja members violating by posting on a community site? Is this some kind of random sampling method to ascertain a pattern like A+, A, B, C...?

Why I want to...

Why I do not want to...

Still uncideded....

Why I may want to...

Why I may not want to...

Whom to vote....

- Pardon me if I am wrong.

-Vasanthkumar Mysoremath

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Thanks for the reminder VM

The restrictions on discussions which could influence poll outcomes apply to 48 hours before the polling date in the constituency to which the discussions are being made. In this case BLR north, south and central. We can however continue discussions on the general scenario if we dont take names of the candidates or parties.

Here is the rules pertaining to the same.

This typically applies to TV and journalists of which we are neither. However it will be good if we adhere to some ethics here also. If anybody notices any specific post which is in violation please bring it to the notice of the Praja admin and it can be either deleted or moderated.

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It is well know that India only allows for restricted freedom of speech. There are still some "weasel" areas underwhich the Government or establishment can even curtail freedom of speech. Sounds medeival doesn't it?

This is what the Constitution says:

19. Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech, etc.

(1) All citizens shall have the right-

(a) To freedom of speech and expression;

[(2) Nothing in sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the operation of any existing law, or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause in the interests of ⁴[the sovereignty and integrity of India,] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.]

----

I wonder if mere talk about which party is going to succeed tanamounts to undermining the security and the sovereignity of the nation.

Are the millions of Indians so dumb and stupid as to just be influenced by exit polls or even mere talk about electoral prospects of candidates???

We have to drastically amend Article 19 of the constitution and provide for absolute freedom of speech.

The First Amendment of the US Constitution clearly states this:

Amendment 1 - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

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 I am surprised at Vasant Kumar Sir’s comment above. Ban on exit polls is entirely a different issue. It is something to do with the actual voting pattern happening live. This can influence the further Voting. The public canvassing activity before an announced date is perfectly valid. After this date it is not. praja discussions do not qualify as public canvassing I presume. Hence I do not agree with VM’s view on the subject.

PSA

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psaram42 Sir, I -hole heartedly agree to disagree with you. pun intended. We are governed by a constitution that can be interpreted in any manner till we get constipation. Vasanthkumar Mysoremath

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In Bangalore North, the BJP guy is the only 'clean guy'.

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