Women voters outnumber men, call the tune here

KNOW YOUR CONSTITUENCY
KRISHNARAJA
His ancestors constituted the representative assembly in 1881 as a means to consult public on the matters of public importance and later gave voting rights to Mysoreans. Now, scion of the Mysore royal family, Srikantadatta Narasimharaaja Wadiyar, and maharani Pramodha Devi Wadiyar elect the representative of Krishnaraja segment given that the Mysore palace is within the limits of Krishnaraja constituency.The relationship the segment has with the Mysore royalty doesn't stop here; the constituency was called as 'Mysore City' before it was named after the Mysore maharaja in 1967.
Marked as one of the hypersensitive constituencies by the Election Commission, Karnataka medical education minister SA Ramadas has locked horns with Congress' MK Somashekar and HV Rajeev of KJP. Vote for change is Congress candidate's mantra while Ramadas is banking on his performance-both as the elected representative and head of an NGO with a band of dedicated workers who have worked in the constituency since five years. The constituency has a sizable Lingayat population. Playing the caste card, KJP has fielded Rajeev, a Brahmin, to take on Ramadas, while JD(S) candidate H Vasu is a dalit from Ashokpuram, a Congress belt. Loksatta's Naveen CK is a techie.
Voting by women is a key factor. In 2004, of the 1.06 lakh voters, 55.76% voters cast their ballots. Of the total 55.76% voters, 53.74% were women. This was repeated in 2008 as 53.73% came out and voted. This time too, the number of women voters is more than that of male and holds the key to the candidates' fate.
The constituency has another speciality: Krishnaraja is one among half a dozen constituencies in Karnataka where Brahmins are in majority. With two strong contenders being Brahmins, the community is divided with leaders split between the two candidates. Well before BJP made its mark in the Karnataka landscape, Krishnaraja had voted for the saffron party in 1978 electing H Gangadharan. He was re-elected in 1983 and BJP had to wait for two terms to get the seat back with Ramadas' election in 1994.
Ramadas is fighting the battle banking mainly on Brahmins and women. Congress candidate Somashekar, a former MLA, defeated Ramadas in 2004 by 3,394 votes. "Badalavane tanni (vote for change)," Somashekar is telling the voters banking on the anti-incumbency factor and charges of corruption Ramadas is facing. BJP MLC G Madhusudhana's fight to save prime land at the foothills of Chamundi Hills has put Ramadas under the scanner, which is exploited by the opposition, mainly Congress, to the hilt.
Before delimitation in 2008, Krishnaraja was the smallest segment in the state with some 1 lakh voters. Now, it stretches from Vivekananda Nagar to the foothills of Chamundi Hills. The numbers of challenges candidates are facing has also enlarged. There is problem with the water supply; the JNNURM's 24X7 water supply is still a mirage. Forget getting water all day long. We don't get sufficient water daily,'' Manjula from Kuvempunagar, complained.
KEY ISSUES
Solid waste management plant: Mysore Maharajas established a sewage farm abutting Vidyaranyapuram, what was then south end of the city, which was used later by the civic body to set up a solid waste management plant. Now, its surroundings has apartment blocks springing up and people protest against the foul smell the plant emanates.
Water supply: There is no problem with the availability of water, a faulty distribution network makes taps run dry in many pockets in the constituency.
IN THE FRAY
BJP: S A Ramadas (sitting MLA)
Congress: MK Somashekar
JD(S): H Vasu
Loksatta: Naveen C K
ELECTORATE
Male: 1,07,719
Female: 1,08,258
Cleared by naheed