Kaapi with Dc: Politicians should avoid polarising statements, says Suresh

With the countdown having begun for the April 18 Lok Sabha election in Bengaluru, politics is the hot topic of discussion, be it in its coffee shops, malls, parks, hotels or restaurants as poll fever grips the city.

Twenty three- year- old Prakash, who was taking a break from his office in a coffee shop, was in deep discussion with a colleague, Suresh on the recent remark of Chief Minister H D.Kumaraswamy on the country’s soldiers.

Taking objection to his statement, Mr Prakash remarked with indignation, "Kumarasamy should not be commenting on the armed forces just for the sake of votes. "

Sharing his views on the recent statement by BJP national president, Amit Shah on the National Register Of Citizens, Mr Suresh felt he had alienated the minorities again. "India is a diverse country. When it progresses, it should take every community of the nation along. But Mr. Amit Shah's statement about the National Register Of Citizens does not reflect this. These sort of statements can only create tension among the minorities,” he deplored, sipping his coffee.

But the two men were not the only ones discussing the country’s poll issues as the coffee shop buzzed with talk on the coming election. For some it was BJP's Bengaluru South candidate, Tejasvi Surya, who made for interesting discussion. “He should be bold enough to disclose his personal details. If he is not comfortable with people discussing his personal matters, he is unfit to be in politics,” said some, while others noted, “ Even H D. Kumarswamy was bold enough to acknowledge his relationship with film actress, Radhika.” The views and comments flew thick and fast to sips of coffee and nibbling on snacks. It almost seemed like the food on the table was an excuse for the real agenda : Pondering the country's future and more specifically, Bengaluru's.