Buzzing with veteran party colleagues and young party workers alike, the Lakkasandra home of Sowmya Reddy, Congress’ Bangalore South candidate, has been transformed into an election war room, but the place she retires to for comfort is a few kilometres away in Koramangala. Her pet dog Arya, is a big part of that comfort.
Much of her campaign strategy, as TOI found, is the brainchild of her father Ramalinga Reddy, who is also state transport and endowment minister.While he manages the behind-the-scenes operations — accompanying his daughter in key campaigns — Sowmya taps into the power of ground-level campaigning and the need for outreach every day.
Early Sunday, barely a few hours after she had hit the bed following a hectic campaign the previous day, the Lakkasandra home was abuzz. Chaotic and organised at the same time. Sowmya, who’s actively campaigning across all eight assembly constituencies, commenced her Sunday campaign at 9am, aiming to cover Chickpet constituency by nightfall.
As her campaign car made its way through the streets, party workers welcomed her arrival with slogans, vibrant party flags, and garlands. The mood was lively as Sowmya greeted voters, waving and shaking hands with some of them from her car. RV Devraj, who contested from Chickpet in the assembly polls last year, joined the procession, appealing to his constituents to support Congress.
To combat the summer heat, the campaign team had ensured a steady supply of tender coconuts and buttermilk for the supporting crowd. This kept spirits high throughout the day’s gruelling schedule.
Throughout the campaign, Sowmya stressed on Congress’ guarantees. She asked women voters about receiving Rs 2,000 every month under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme and the places they visited using the free bus scheme. She also interacted with women in passing BMTC buses, urging them to vote for Congress for more such benefits.
Pujas and blessings
She concluded the first half of her campaign by visiting a mosque at Bada Makhan Road near Lalbagh, where prayers were offered in her name, and sought blessings from elders present. Her next stop was Subramanya Swamy temple at Sudhamanagar, where a special puja was performed.
Following a quick lunch — at her Koramangala home — and some time with Arya, whom she calls the “love of her life,” Sowmya resumed the second half of her campaign for the day. She began by garlanding the Kempegowda statue at Kem pegowda Circle and went on to cover Cottonpet and other areas, ending the campaign by around 6.30pm.
The pet activist-turned-politician was defeated in last year’s assembly polls by just 13 votes and is now aiming to become the first woman MP from Bengaluru. Reflecting on her defeat, Sowmya said: “I was very disappointed, and it did impact my mental health. I stayed away from politics for months as I wanted peace of mind.”
When Congress first approached her to contest the Lok Sabha polls, she said she was a little unsure. “I consulted senior party members and they helped me realise the value of being in active politics and its potential to bring about change,” she said.
Ramalinga Reddy said: “This time, our guarantees will work. People have seen how many of BJP’s promises have become a reality. In 2019, we could not secure the lead in Chickpet, but this year, we will get the lead in Chickpet and Jayanagar. Congress will win Bangalore South.”
Much of her campaign strategy, as TOI found, is the brainchild of her father Ramalinga Reddy, who is also state transport and endowment minister.While he manages the behind-the-scenes operations — accompanying his daughter in key campaigns — Sowmya taps into the power of ground-level campaigning and the need for outreach every day.
Early Sunday, barely a few hours after she had hit the bed following a hectic campaign the previous day, the Lakkasandra home was abuzz. Chaotic and organised at the same time. Sowmya, who’s actively campaigning across all eight assembly constituencies, commenced her Sunday campaign at 9am, aiming to cover Chickpet constituency by nightfall.
As her campaign car made its way through the streets, party workers welcomed her arrival with slogans, vibrant party flags, and garlands. The mood was lively as Sowmya greeted voters, waving and shaking hands with some of them from her car. RV Devraj, who contested from Chickpet in the assembly polls last year, joined the procession, appealing to his constituents to support Congress.
To combat the summer heat, the campaign team had ensured a steady supply of tender coconuts and buttermilk for the supporting crowd. This kept spirits high throughout the day’s gruelling schedule.
Throughout the campaign, Sowmya stressed on Congress’ guarantees. She asked women voters about receiving Rs 2,000 every month under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme and the places they visited using the free bus scheme. She also interacted with women in passing BMTC buses, urging them to vote for Congress for more such benefits.
Pujas and blessings
She concluded the first half of her campaign by visiting a mosque at Bada Makhan Road near Lalbagh, where prayers were offered in her name, and sought blessings from elders present. Her next stop was Subramanya Swamy temple at Sudhamanagar, where a special puja was performed.
Following a quick lunch — at her Koramangala home — and some time with Arya, whom she calls the “love of her life,” Sowmya resumed the second half of her campaign for the day. She began by garlanding the Kempegowda statue at Kem pegowda Circle and went on to cover Cottonpet and other areas, ending the campaign by around 6.30pm.
The pet activist-turned-politician was defeated in last year’s assembly polls by just 13 votes and is now aiming to become the first woman MP from Bengaluru. Reflecting on her defeat, Sowmya said: “I was very disappointed, and it did impact my mental health. I stayed away from politics for months as I wanted peace of mind.”
When Congress first approached her to contest the Lok Sabha polls, she said she was a little unsure. “I consulted senior party members and they helped me realise the value of being in active politics and its potential to bring about change,” she said.
Ramalinga Reddy said: “This time, our guarantees will work. People have seen how many of BJP’s promises have become a reality. In 2019, we could not secure the lead in Chickpet, but this year, we will get the lead in Chickpet and Jayanagar. Congress will win Bangalore South.”