Social service challenges family politics

 In all of Chikkaballapur district, Bagepalli is the most politically active constituency. Next comes Chintamani.

The political situation in Chintamani has remained the same through decades.
The constituency has as many as 15 candidates.

But, regardless of whether the activity is development or untoward, it is necessarily attributed to political interests of the parties involved. Also, no matter how powerful the political influence activity, the fight is only between two families: of M C Anjaneya Reddy and T K Gangireddy.

This continued grip of family politics gave Dr M C Sudhakar, a member of Anjaneya Reddy’s family, confidence to contest the upcoming elections as an Independent candidate. On the other side, a Gangireddy family member Vani Krishna Reddy is contesting on a Congress ticket.

Social worker

Challenging the family politics is JD(S) candidate J K Krishna Reddy, whose entry has changed the scene for the Reddy families a little.

Adding to their worries and forcing them to go for new election tactics is the fact that, instead of fighting as any other politician, Krishna Reddy has wooed voters as a social worker, giving them ‘incentives’.

Union Minister K H Muniyappa is said to have had a hand in such political changes and developments in Chintamani.

The cold war between the minister and two-time legislator Sudhakar led to the latter quitting the Congress and contesting the elections this time as an Independent, while on the other front, novice Vani Krishna Reddy has moved from the JD(S) to the Congress. Muniyappa apparently killed two birds with one stone.

Cashing in on the fight between the old-timers is self-proclaimed social worker Krishna Reddy, who is campaigning on the strength of his social service.

Citizenspeak

Watching Sudhakar compete against Vani Krishna Reddy, citizens feel the entry of J K Krishna Reddy would prove problematic for both.

On the other hand, there are citizens who feel the Congress would greatly desire to ‘teach a lesson’ to former party member Sudhakar. “It is possible that the Congress and the JD(S) join hands towards this end,” they say.

There are also an equal number of people who feel Sudhakar is good enough not to be troubled by such plans by the parties and can win singlehandedly.

Within family

Citizens, speaking with a tinge of experience, say they would prefer local politics to remain between the two families. “No outsiders, please,” is their take.

A few sceptics, however, say they have been given little choice with regard to their representatives.

“If a few newcomers wish to enter the field, why not give them a chance,” ask some people in Chintamani.