Kingfisher man not the only one 'missing' from his elite civic ward, Captain Gopinath and other celebs also can not be traced by a politician who wants their help for a voting awareness drive
Kingfisher man not the only one 'missing' from his elite civic ward, Captain Gopinath and other celebs also can not be traced by a politician who wants their help for a voting awareness drive
VIJAY Mallya, Captain Gopinath and Prasad Bidappa are missing from their elite addresses in the city. At least, that is the experience of a politician trying to meet them as the civic poll date nears.
THIS MAN'S CERTAINLY TRYING: R V Ramesh Yadav, a BJP civic poll
aspirant from Shanthalanagar ward, steps out of liquor baron
Vijay Mallya's house disappointed at not having met the man even
after trying for a month. Yadav had to remain content with handing a
pamphlet to the security guard. Pic/Vinod Kumar T
R V Ramesh Yadav, a civic election aspirant from the posh Ward No. 111, says he has been trying to meet liquor baron and former Rajya Sabha member Mallya, father of low-cost airlines in India Captain Gopinath and fashion guru Prasad Bidappa for a month now, to rope in these celebrity voters for a poll awareness campaign, but in vain.
Cream of society
Yadav heads the BJP unit in the Shanthalanagar ward, which is one of the city's most sought-after addresses. It is home to big names like Mallya, Captain Gopinath, tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, veteran leader George Fernandes' brother Michael and Dharmastala Dharmadikari Dr D Veerendra Hegde.
Yadav, a well known political leader from Richmond Town and Shanthinagar Business Welfare Association, wants to impress upon people the importance of voting and feels the presence of celebrities in such drives helps the cause.
Yadav has now left a note for the celebrity voters, seeking an appointment with them to discuss the 'everybody should vote' campaign in Shanthalanagar ward.
"Biggies, including Vijay Mallya and Captain Gopinath, are missing," said Ramesh Yadav. "I have been knocking on their doors for the past month. My efforts to meet them have gone in vain and finally I have left a note. I'm hoping they call."
Early campaigner
Unlike other aspirants worried about whether they should start campaigning at all since there are clouds of uncertainty over the poll process pending a Supreme Court decision on ward reservations, Yadav has already started campaigning. His worry is not what decision the Supreme Court takes and how it affects the long-delayed election, but if he will be meeting voters who are bigwigs in his ward.
Yadav started his poll campaign in the first week of January, and has completed the first round of campaigning in Shanthalanagar, which includes places like Vittal Mallya Road, Lavelle Road, Kasturba Road, MG Road and Brigade Road.u00a0
"Residents of Lavelle road, Vijay Mallya and Captain Gopinath, tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi and Michael Fernandes are my voters, whom we are trying to rope in for a campaign, besides celebrities from other wards that include names like Prasad Bidappa," said Yadav. "But we couldn't reach any of them, except Michael Fernandes."
Members of the Richmond Town and Shanthinagar Business Welfare Association support Yadav's quest.
"They (celebrity voters) are public icons and they have to inspire voters to vote through campaigns, as Gopinath did during the parliamentary polls," said Noor Ullah, association secretary. "Hence, we are planning to run a campaign roping in celebrities in our ward to increase voting percentage. But we are finding it difficult to reach them."
Efforts continue
Yadav, who also hopes to seek the support of the celebrity voters for his candidature, has continued his efforts. After leaving a note for them, he is positive he will meet them sometime during the pre-poll exercise he has undertaken.
While Mallya and Gopinath were not available for comment, Bidappa denied he was unavailable and said he would love to create awareness on voting.
"Nobody has approached me so far," said Bidappa. "I have moved to Yelahanka. I would love to be part of such a campaign that creates awareness on the importance of voting."
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
