'Dynastic' politics in Chintamani under challenge this election

The ‘dynastic’ politics in Chintamani constituency is likely to be challenged during this Assembly election. A’ third force’ has entered the fray this time.

Personal prestige has always taken precedence over party politics in Chintamani.

Upset with party

Sitting legislator Dr M C Sudhakar, who has identified himself with Congress for over decades, has decided to contest elections as an Independent this time.

On the other hand, Vani Krishnareddy, the daughter of former minister K M Krishnareddy is almost sure to be a candidate from Congress. In between the two is J K Krishna Reddy of JD(S), who has determined to scuttle the winning chances of Sudhakar and Vani.

The family politics not new to Chintamani. It has been in practice since the 1957 Assembly polls. Anjaneya Reddy, the grandfather of Dr M C Sudhakar was in politics while Vani Krishna Reddy is continuing the political legacy of her relative T K Gangi Reddy.

Either way

Interestingly, the voters of Chintamani have favoured both families, for alternate terms. While Gangireddy was elected to the Assembly in 1957, Anjaneya Reddy won the election in 1962. It was the turn of Gangireddy in 1967. The tradition,  however, was broken with Chowdareddy registering victory successively during 1972, 1978 and 1983 elections. Chowdareddy is the father of Dr M C Sudhakar.

K M Krishna Reddy ventured into political fray in 1985 and won the elections too. However, Chowdareddy won in 1989 only to be trounced by Krishna Reddy in 1994.
Chowdareddy won the elections in 1999 and fielded his son, M C Sudhakar in 2004, who too emerged victorious. Sudhakar was re-elected for the second term in 2008.
While the two families have a political background, J K Krishna Reddy has no such experience. He hails from Bangalore and has been into social service. He has now joined JD(S).

Changing sides

Vani Krishna Reddy was expected to continue in the JD(S) after the demise of K M Krishna Reddy. However, she was disappointed when State JD(S) president H D Kumaraswamy entrusted the responsibility of issuing ‘B’ form to J K Krishna Reddy and this led to her joining Congress.