It is not just technology that can wipe out careers overnight.
Till some years ago, Murugan was a painter of posters, hoardings and billboards, much in demand during election time.
He had a roaring business in the city's central business district for decades, particularly during election time. He then expanded to printing publicity material for candidates.
Here too, he made a fortune, and bought a modern printing machine which he installed in his press on Risaldar Street in Seshadripuram, now in Gandhinagar Ward 94.
However, the ceiling on expenditure by the Election Commission and State Commission, and the restrictions on hoardings, posters and buntings hit Mr. Murugan badly. His business slumped, and he had to sell his printing machines and hand over what was left of the business to his sons. Shattered, the once-admired poster artist was reduced to doing wall paintings commissioned by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike.
All those years dealing with politicians and their flunkies did have its use. A popular figure in his area, Mr. Murugan has thrown his hat into the ring.
His ward of 32,000 voters is an eclectic mix of Kannadigas, Tamils, Telugus, Marathis and Gujaratis. Contesting as a Janata Dal (Secular) candidate, he is confident of victory.
“Look at the large group of residents who are campaigning for me,” he said, gesturing.
Afsar Pasha, a resident and a Murugan supporter, said that the previous councillor hardly came to the ward.
