For Rizwan Arshad, second time a charm?

Bengaluru: There is no end to the parleys of charge and counter-charge between the Income Tax Department and the ruling coalition in Karnataka. On Thursday, I-T raids were conducted on the campaign office and other locations in Bengaluru connected to Rizwan Arshad, the Congress-JD(S) candidate for Bangalore Central.

The fiery young politician, however, has a different take on the matter, calling the raids politically motivated. Arshad, 39, who kickstarted his poll campaign in the city by addressing BJP failures in the area, is up against BJP incumbent P.C. Mohan, to whom he lost in 2014 and actor Prakash Rai who has chosen to contest as an independent.

On Thursday, Rizwan Arshad held a road show on the streets of Mahadevpura, to which enthusiastic followers welcomed him with crackers. Arshad, who is considered to be the future of the Congress in Karnataka, is known for his dynamism and local boy image. While he is ensuring that his voice reaches every voter, Mr Arshad along with his team having been visiting every area possible in the central constituency.

Welcomed with garlands everywhere he went, Arshad was undoubtedly pleased to see thousands gathered along his route, eager to hear him speak. “He will be the youth icon for the Congress party because we have seen him working for the people these last five years, even though he lost the election. We have approached him several times over the last five years. Hope this continues,” says Sampath Kumar, a street vendor in Mahadevpura.

While campaigning at Mahadevpura, Arshad took a dig at the BJP candidate PC Mohan. "Where has Mohan been for the last 10 years? What has he done? The BJP has a knack for faking data, just like they did with unemployment and GDP figures. Mohan’s report card will also be fake. So yes, I can see the wave for Congress this time, people will accept the change".

"He is a humble politician with a vision to develop Bangalore Central and is proactive about this vision. Any opportunity will prove his ability in his future endeavors. It’s a constituency that’s most neglected. There’s no out-of-the-box idea for development of the IT corridor,” said Uday, An IT employee and local resident.

'BJP came to power on false promises but now, voters are wiser'

1. How is this Election different from the one you fought in 2014?

I can see the change in the people face because in 2014, the current government was busy making promises which in 2019 have been revealed as false. They said they would create 100 smart cities but not a single one has come-up. Also, in 2014, I encountered major propaganda by the BJP that people, unfortunately, believed in. They were told black money would be brought back, `15 lakh would be deposited in their bank accounts, jobs for youngsters, smart cities and so on. They promised Bengaluru a special grant which didn’t come. Now, in 2019, people know that nothing has been implemented and that will reflect on the election.

2. Your comments on the I-T raids conducted on your associates…
It is a completely politically motivated raid. 15 to 20 people were raided by I-T officials without evidence. Also, they know we haven't hidden anything. So we are like an open book and are definitely puzzled by what is happening. Is the I-T department’s duty to raid an opposition candidate's campaign office? On what basis was the office raided? Therefore, it is proven that the BJP is using the I-T department to divert my attention and cripple my campaign.

3. Your opponents say you’re afraid of losing and are trying to consolidate the Hindu vote. So you are on a temple run?
 It all started when I visited Vokkaliga seer Nirmalanandanatha Swamy and then later held a pooja at a Ganesha temple in Bengaluru. But I will say that it is part of the BJP’s political game, to create controversy during the election. Visiting temples and churches is not new to me but the BJP will highlight it during the elections. I work for the people and not for a religion. The BJP chased same-religion politics in 2014 and came to power with hollow promises. This time, in 2019, they are using the ‘army jawan’ and other sentiments of nationalism. This has nothing to do with appeasing Hindus or the fear of losing because BJP politics won't work this time.

4. What is your vision for Bangalore Central?
Bangalore Central needs coordination among different agencies. It’s a constituency that’s most neglected. There’s no out-of-the-box idea for the development of the IT corridor. It was based on my suggestion that the BBMP announced a permanent fund of Rs 175 crore for the IT corridor. Also, overall BJP has filed in its work, because now youths are is a situation whether they get a job or not. But everyone knows that Congress is the party which helped the business to improve and created the job in the private sector. So this will continue to create jobs from our end.

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