Different strokes for two folks in high-tech Bangalore

In substance too, the main rivals are poles apart, even as both feel the youth are with them

Nilekani attempts to connect with the people harping on infrastructure woes, lack of amenities, woeful public transport, housing shortage and other civic issues that are in the domain of a ward corporator or local legislator.

"As I was born and brought up here, I am able to identify with the people and identify their problems. They are looking for a new MP, who can bring about a change for the better," Nilekani told IANS, taking a break from his hectic campaigning.

"I have been an agent of change, be it at Infosys, BATF or Aadhaar," he said, referring to his company, then the Bangalore Agenda Task Force (BAFT), which he chaired when his Congress mentor S.M. Krishna was chief minister from 1999-2004, and more recently as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) that was mandated to issue 'Aadhaar' cards to all citizens.

But an unfazed Kumar spoke about changing the national government, defeating the rival party that, according to him, had made life miserable with soaring prices, corruption, scams, jobless growth and poor infrastructure development.