Geetha promises to fulfil Bangarappa's dreams

Former CM's daughter joins JD(S), to be its Shimoga nominee

Geetha Shivrajkumar, the JD(S) candidate for the Shimoga Lok Sabha constituency, officially joined the party at a convention in the city on Monday evening.

Geetha is the daughter of former chief minister S Bangarappa and the wife of film actor Shivrajkumar.

Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, State party president A Krishnappa and other leaders of the party were present on the occasion.

Addressing the convention, Madhu Bangarappa, the JD(S) legislator from Sorab, said that his sister Geetha was contesting the Lok Sabha elections from Shimoga, with the sole intention of fulfilling the dream of their mother.

Madhu said, “We had planned to field my mother as the party candidate. She was also keen to contest the elections. But her ill-health forced us to change the plan. My mother asked Geetha to be the candidate and sought the permission of Shivrajkumar for this. Without a second thought, Shivanna accepted the proposal and asked his wife to enter politics. I should always remain indebted to Shivanna for his support. I seek your support and co-operation for my sister in the coming elections. Treat her as your sister.”

He said Geetha will file her nomination papers on March 24 and Shivrajkumar will also be present on the occasion.

However, he will be there only as her husband and not as a party member.
Shivrajkumar does not have any association with the party, Madhu clarified.
Referring to the results of the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, he said, “My father Bangarappa was defeated by the then BJP candidate B Y Raghavendra through unfair means. The saffron party misused its power. But, it will not repeat this time. I am confident that voters of the constituency will back JD(S) in the polls and thus pay respects to my father.”

Addressing the gathering, Geetha said, “I have joined JD(S) as my father was associated with it at the time of his death. It is the party that gave an opportunity to my brother Madhu to grow as a political leader. I promise you that I will fulfil the dreams of my father without fail.

“I may not have experience in politics, but I have the potential to take all kinds of challenges. I have discharged my duties as a daughter, wife, mother and sister successfully, so far. I am confident that I will also discharge the duties of a politician effectively, if I am given a chance.”

Kadur legislator Y S V Datta, MLA Sharada Pooryanaik, former minister Bandeppa Kashe­mpur, district JD(S) president M Srikanth and others were present on the occasion.