By-polls were forced after Banashankari Temple ward corporator was allegedly gunned down by rival
By-polls were forced after Banashankari Temple ward corporator was allegedly gunned down by rival Afsar Khan
The Banashankari Temple ward seat, which fell vacant after Corporator Mohammed Ali was allegedly shot dead by a rival, has resulted in a mini battle of sorts. A race for the seat has seen 19 nominations, which include that of eight persons with criminal backgrounds. Residents of the area don't seem to be happy with the developments, but claim that they have no other option. 
Criminal Intent:u00a0Accused in the murder of Mohammed Ali, has filed
his nomination from the Bellary Jail for same seat. Pic/Satish badiger
One reason for discontent being that Afsar Khan, who is an accused in the murder of Mohammed Ali, has filed his nomination from the Bellary Jail for same seat. The inspector attached to the Banashankari said, "Most of the independent candidates contesting for the seat have cases pending against them in police stations. We have sent reports of their cases to the polling officers at the ward level and their nominations will be withdrawn soon."
Voters anguished 
Residents of the area informed that they have no other option since every party they have voted into power has let them down. The ward in Padmanabha Nagar constituency represented by Home Minister R Ashok, consists of seven slums and has remained backward in terms of development. Padmamma who resides in Sarbandepalaya slum in the same ward said, "We have lived here all our life and compromise on all civic amenities."
Venkatesh, another resident informed, "The candidates contesting for the ward are the same ones the police keep questioning us about regarding their involvement in various cases. We don't have any other choice."
Lull before storm?
Babu Noronha, the inspector attached to the Kumaraswamy Layout said that they have received a petition on Shaik Wajid, who is a suspect in an attempt to murder a Congress MLA's brother. In addition, Shaik Aslam alias Bomman Babu has a police record in their station, while Syed Zameer and Mohammed Nayaz are wanted in Banashankari police station. "Tomorrow the nominations will be out and we will ensure all the others are brought to the station," said Noronha.
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