Know me by my work and not by my opponent's description of me: SR Vishwanath

People of Yelahanka gave you five years. How satisfied are you in terms of your constituency’s development?
I am happy that I did my best to develop my constituency and lived upto the expectations of the people. Their faith in me and my work has always motivated me to discharge my duties.

But the people of Yelahanka complain of bad roads, traffic congestion, and poor garbage disposal.
In the last five years, the most asphalting of roads has been done in this constituency. I know there are a few problems in Maruthi Nagar and Attur due to the laying of the Cauvery water pipeline and sanitary works, but Yelahanka is one of the best constituencies in terms of waste segregation. There are a few areas where people throw garbage on the roads and vacant plots and the civic authority is taking action against them.

What have you done to solve the traffic troubles of Yelahanka?
Well, the construction of an elevated flyover at an estimated cost of Rs. 42 crore at the MS Palya junction could help in solving the traffic issue. The project is in the preliminary stages and the tenders will be called for it in two months. An underpass connecting old Yelahanka and new Yelahanka towns has also been planned at an estimated cost of Rs 15 crore to address the traffic problem.

With Chandrappa joining the Congress, how confident you are of retaining the seat?
There is no doubt that I will retain the seat. I am not being overconfident as the people themselves have assured me of their support during my campaigning. The BJP was divided during the last election and an attempt was made to tarnish my image with a Lokayukta case. But people know me by my work and not how I am described by an opponent. Which is why I won the election by a margin of 18,397 votes. Neither Gopal Krishna nor Hanumanthe Gowda can stop me from winning again. Believe me, there will be at least a 70 or 75 per cent voter turnout and I will get not less than 50 percent of the votes. Besides Vokkaliga votes, I will also corner a large share of Muslim votes , considering the work I have done for them including providing them skill-based training through my trust, building a shaadi mahal and giving them land for a burial ground.