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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Elections turn a family affair for politicians in Karnataka
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Elections turn a family affair for politicians in Karnataka

As many as five sons or daughters of high-profile politicians among hopefuls in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections

H.D. Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has established his roots in Karnataka politics. Photo: Hemant Mishra/MintPremium
H.D. Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, has established his roots in Karnataka politics. Photo: Hemant Mishra/Mint

Bangalore: Politically influential families in Karnataka are trying to secure the fledgling careers of a new generation of politicians, with as many as five sons or daughters of high-profile politicians among hopefuls in the ongoing general election.

Mahima Patel of the Janata Dal (Secular), or JD(S), is betting on his late father J.H. Patel’s legacy as chief minister to help him bag a seat in Davangere, one of the 121 constituencies that go to polls on Thursday in the fifth phase.

“The greatest advantage of having an ex-CM as your father is the instant recognition you get when you try and make a mark in politics. It gives you the confidence in dealing with challenging situations such as what I am confronted with in Davangere," said the 54-year-old Patel, who switched from the ruling Congress party to the opposition JD(S) after being denied a Congress ticket.

Instead, the Congress chose S.S. Mallikarjun, son of state horticulture minister Shamanur Shivashankarappa, over Patel in Davangere. Both candidates face the difficult task of dethroning G.M. Siddeswara, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) incumbent looking for a third consecutive term.

Patel said the legacy of his famous father has enabled him to enlist the support of people across religions and castes, which, he added, will help him defeat Siddeswara. All three candidates are Lingayats, the community that dominates Davangere.

Mallikarjun and Siddeswara were unavailable for comment.

The other next-generation candidates are Geeta Shivarajkumar, daughter of later chief minister S. Bangarappa, Prashant Deshpande, son of state higher education minister R.V. Deshpande, and H.D. Kumaraswamy, son of former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda.

Kumaraswamy, himself a former chief minister, has established his roots in Karnataka politics. His father is contesting from Hassan as the candidate for JD(S).

The youngest of the gen-next Lok Sabha hopefuls is Harvard Law School graduate and 37-year-old Congress candidate Prashant Deshpande, who is contesting from Uttara Kannada, a BJP bastion.

But Deshpande argues political legacy cannot be inherited and must be earned.

He is campaigning to improve road connectivity and developing irrigation projects in the region. “To an outsider it may look like dynastic politics is largely prevalent. I have been working in the field since 2006, but in 2009 I didn’t get the nomination. So it can go both ways and you have to keep working to prove your worth," he said. Deshpande is contesting against Anantkumar Hegde of the BJP, who won from the constituency in 1996, 1998, 2004 and 2009.

Geetha Shivarajkumar is a relative newcomer to politics but understands the dynamics of Karnataka politics. She is the wife of Kannada movie actor Shivrajkumar and comes from the Idiga community that has a sizeable population in her constituency, Shimoga.

She is up against the formidable BJP and Lingayat strongman B.S. Yeddyurappa. An ex-chief minister in Karnataka, Yeddyurappa is back with the BJP for the Lok Sabha election after leaving it in 2012 when he was named in an official report on illegal mining in the state.

Karnataka politics have been historically dominated by a few families, particularly in the northern part of the state, political analysts say.

“The Bangarappas, Gowdas and Yeddyurappas have been dominating the scene for a while now. This does not bode well for greater political inclusiveness as the entry barriers are high," said Narayana A., associate professor at the school of policy and governance, Azim Premji University.

If one were to consider all the relatives of politicians, other than immediate children, the number of candidates from politically influential families will be much higher, he said. For instance, Ramesh Katti, the younger brother of former minister and BJP MLA Umesh Katti, is the BJP candidate for Chikkodi constituency.

Analysts, however, point that belonging to a politically active family does not guarantee success. Some, like ex-chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde’s daughter Mamta Nichani failed to do well in politics.

Congress leaders Union petroleum minister Veerappa Moily and Rajasthan governor Margaret Alva failed to secure Lok Sabha tickets for their sons.

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Published: 15 Apr 2014, 11:34 PM IST
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