With elections to the Bangalore City Corporation over, predictably the lobbying and back-room maneuvering began the post of Mayor. However, the front runner was clearly the present incumbent K. Chandrashekar. Nobody will agree more than his own ward people that Chandrashekar was best suited for the job. In addition, he has had two terms in which to prove his mettle. Just to provide a little background, Chandru, as he is affectionately known, is a three-time corporator and is the Congress representative from Hanumanthanagar ward. He has also worked in various capacities in the City Congress, including at the assembly constituency level and has campaigned for Congress candidates during elections to the State Assembly as well as Lok Sabha.

Hanumanthanagar ward hit the headlines last BCC term for the path breaking work Chandru initiated there, and has been hailed as the best ward in the city. Tarred and pot-hole free roads, neat pavements, dustbin free localities due to a successful door to door garbage collection campaign - all these have been the hallmarks of Hanumanthanagar. In addition, he is credited with putting in place a fantastic grievance redressal system at the ward level which will be vouched for by his ward constituents.

However, there is also a heavy dose of culture here. In a remarkable exercise Chandru managed to name every road in the ward after a river, mountain, litterateur, historical personality, etc thereby giving the area a very cultured look. Coupled with this is a unique door numbering system which has worked wonders and removed confusion.

Then there is the crowning glory of all - the Thimmesh Prabhu Park. A barren, rocky land earmarked as a civic amenity site and for years it had gone to waste. Worse still, it had become a haven for anti-social elements.

Nevertheless, to his credit, and dogged determination, a beautiful park emerged. However, the best thing about it is the dancing fountain which is the pride of every resident of Hanumanthanagar. One can see residents taking an after dinner stroll or a brisk morning walk - something which was unheard of a couple of years ago.

During his last term, mayor-ship eluded Chandru by the proverbial whisker. However, he never let it cramp his working style. He went on do substantial work as head of a couple of committees and earned the grudging respect of his colleagues.

However, it will be this one year as Mayor which will either propel him to greater heights or relegate him to the ranks of all previous mayors, who have been forgotten long before their terms came to a close. However, Chandru does not seem like he going to let that happen.

"I want to do something for Bangalore because it is my city. Moreover, I am now in a position to do something," he said as soon as he took over. He has received his fair share of criticism for putting parks on the top of his priority list, but Chandru insists that he listed parks in addition to other essentials like roads and garbage.

"My predecessors have clearly stated, and I will also do the same - one year is very less time to make any impact. However, it is something that I cannot change. In fact I have only about 270 days to work, because the rest is taken up in holidays and such other things. Nevertheless, I am determined to bring about some considerable improvement, even if it is only a little. Even if one person can say he has benefited from something I have done, it will be reward enough for me," he said, agreeing that he had to be realistic in realizing his responsibilities and limitations.

Given the present state of roads, and overflowing garbage bins, there's not much for Bangaloreans to cheer. However, a glimpse into Chandru's ward gives rise to the hope that he might do the same thing for the rest of Bangalore as well now that he is in charge. It is now upto him not to disappoint Bangaloreans.